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Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Austrian

In Vienna’s Neubau district, a beautiful Biedermeier townhouse has been home to the Werkstätte Carl Auböck for more than 100 years. Inside the workshop, where production continues to this day, countless objects line the shelves, walls, tabletops and desktops.

The Viennese artist and designer Carl Auböck II was one of the quirkiest and most delightful and collectible of modern designers. A rather odd duck in the world of decorative arts, he was a peculiar talent whose specialties included smaller desk accessories and tabletop pieces such as corkscrews, paperweights, letter openers, bookends and bottle stoppers. He rendered these pieces in a combination of metal — most often brass — and such elemental materials as leather, knobby wood and animal horn, creating forms that could be almost Surrealist, from hands and feet to keys, birds and amoebae.

As a boy, Auböck was precocious and artistic. He studied drawing and at the same time trained in the workshop of his father, Karl Heinrich Auböck, a popular maker of traditional bronze figurines and collectibles. In 1919, Carl II went to Germany to study at the Bauhaus, where he was a pupil of the progressive artist and theorist Johannes Itten. While the Bauhaus is most associated with the rigidly ordered, functionalist architecture of its directors Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the school was in reality a liberal, spirited place — a crucible for imaginative, playful and avant-garde art and design. It was this spirit that imbued Carl II’s work from the time he left in 1921.

In 1922 or ’23, Carl Auböck II returned to Vienna to help care for his ailing father, and he took over the business. He created the Werkstätte Carl Auböck and a legacy that earned his objects cult status among collectors. The business was passed on to his descendants, who run the atelier that is still in operation today. Today, objects designed by Carl II make up 90 percent of Werkstätte Carl Auböck’s production, joined by the creations of architect and designer Carl IV, his grandson.

Vintage Auböck designs have a special character, a patina that only emphasizes how much the pieces have been loved and used. Carl Aubock II’s small furniture items — leather- or caned-sling magazine racks; free-edge wooden side tables with tubular bronze legs; wicker serving trolleys with turned beechwood wheels — are elegant and purposeful. His bijoux desktop objects, library tools, ashtrays and barware pieces evince a kind of mirthful practicality. They seem to ask: “If you need a corkscrew, or a paperweight, or a candlestick, why not make it fun as well as functional?” And indeed, why not?

Find a collection of vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck mirrors, seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #3651 Bookends, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pair of #3651 Bookends, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #1928 Bookends "Hands", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #1928 bookends "Hands", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4635 Bookends "Drop with a Hole", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4635 bookends "Drop with a Hole", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Bookends #3653
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.  
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Bookends by Carl Auböck III
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare pair of bookends by Carl Auböck III. Nickel plated steel. 1970s.  
Category

1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Steel

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4575 Patinated Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Produced ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Bookends #3848
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classis pair of Carl Auböck bookend in a patina and polish brass mix.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Price is f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4101 'Melies' Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of large Carl Aubock Model #4101 'Melies' patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4843 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4842 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Price is f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed hand cut and polished bamboo and brass....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #1928 'Hands' brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3530 'Flatiron' patinated brass and cane bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3651 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3654 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3654 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4636 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4636 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4635 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3848 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3848 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Price is per pair. Av...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3846 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Price is for the pair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished and patinated brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3530 'Flatiron' brass and cane bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4637 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4637 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Two Bookends by Carl Auböck Brass Design Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of large solid brass bookends created and manufactured by the Austrian architect and designer Carl Auböck. These outstanding objects made of solid polished and decorated brass...
Category

1980s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck #3530-2 Bookends in Polished Brass and Coiled with Cane
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Carl Auböck #3530-2 Bookends in Polished Brass and Coiled with Cane, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of eight Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of Models #3651, #3652, #3653 & #3654. Designed in the 1950s, these inc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4219 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Large Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4219 'Hands' Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Hand ful...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3530-3 Bookends, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3530-3 Bookends in Brass and Cane, Austria. New.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Grouping of Six Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of six Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of models #4635, #4636 and #4637. Designed in the 1950s, these incredibly...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4630 Large Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #4630 large brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Price is for the pair....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Bookends #4100 in a Patina and Polish Brass Mix
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.
Category

1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass bookends #4636. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, original m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #3847 Bookends "T", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #3847 bookends "T", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Bookends # 3652
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in polished brass.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4102 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4102 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4099 Bookends "Wedge", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4099 bookends "Wedge", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #3651
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #3651. Patinated and polished brass bookends. Classic 1950's design still handcrafted using traditional me...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Vintage Brass "T" Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Pair of vintage Carl Auböck patinated brass "T" bookends for Werkstätte Carl Aubock. Circa 1949. Model #3847. Impressed with foundry stamp "Aubock, Made in Austria".
Category

1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4575-1 Bookends "Square", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4575-1 bookends "Square", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3793 "Gourd" Vase or Bookend, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3793 "Gourd" vase or bookend, Austria, 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck #3846 Bookends "Rocket" in Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pair of #3846Bookends "Rocket", Austria 2022 .
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4636 Bookends "Drop", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4636 bookends, Austria, 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #5673 Bookends "Horn", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pair of #5673 Bookends "Horn", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage 1950s Bronze Carl Auböck Austria Bronze Square Bookends #4575
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of vintage circa 1950s "Square" handmade bookends #4575 designed by Carl Auböck Austria. Square bookends with round hole in the center and cross hatch lines with nice warm patin...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Bronze

Carl Auböck Pair of #3848 Bookends "Earlobes", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #3848 bookends "Earlobes", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3853 Vase "Double Noose", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3853 vase "Double Noose", Austria, 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass, Wire

Carl Auböck Pair of #4843 Bookends "Tower", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4843 bookends "Tower", Austria, 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4630 Bookends "Hook", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4630 bookends "Hook", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Iron & Brass Coin Medal Midcentury Bookend, Austria, 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This is a rare modernist book end, designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck III in the 1970s. The bookend consists of a large brass medal, which displays the coat of arms of the hous...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass, Iron

Carl Auböck Pair of #4219 Bookends "Jazz Hands", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4219 bookends "Jazz Hands", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4100 Bookends "Masks", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4100 bookends "Masks", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4102 Bookends "Spectator", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pair of #4102 bookends "Spectator", Austria, 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4101 Bookends "Melies", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pair of #4101 bookends "Melies", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4637 Bookends "Cello", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4637 bookends "Cello", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #3654 Bookends, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #3654 bookends, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3786 "Alert" Vase or Bookend, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3786 "Alert" Vase or Bookend, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bookends

Materials

Brass

Werkstätte Carl Auböck bookends for sale on 1stDibs.

Werkstätte Carl Auböck bookends are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Werkstätte Carl Auböck bookends, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 18 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 68 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original bookends by Werkstätte Carl Auböck were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Werkstätte Carl Auböck bookends can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $715 and can go as high as $5,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $796.

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