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.
Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Brass
Auböck Cigarette Box, Ash Wood and Nickel Plated Brass, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Aubock cigarette box, made of ash wood and nickel plated brass, openable from both sides. Adorable early Art Deco box, by the famous Bauhaus Architekt...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #3854 'Atom 2' Brass Vase, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3854 'Atom 2' brass vase, Austria Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte...
Brass
$300 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Raffia Umbrella Stand, Wastepaper Basket, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Very rare simple and elegant midcentury umbrella stand or wastepaper basket designed by Carl Auböck II and manufactured by Werkstätten Auböck in the 1950s, Austria. It's made of raff...
Brass
$350 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Pro...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Aubock II Vase Decanter with Brown Leather Top, Midcentury, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimalist Mid-Century Modern vase or decanter, "Tuberkulinkolben" designed and executed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s. This piece is made of handblown clear glass and f...
Leather, Glass
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Large Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Large Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria...
Brass
Carl Auböck #6086-1 Paperweight or Paperknife, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife by Carl Auböck.
Brass
Leather Desk Blotter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Large desk blotter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, made of thick natural leather with stitched edge and solid metal corner fittings. The rectangular writing pad shows a beautifully ag...
Metal
Carl Aubock Vase Decanter "Tuberkulinkolben" Raffia Wicker Top, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimal modernist vase or decanter „Tuberkulinkolben", model no. 4748, designed and executed by Carl Aubock II in the 1950s. Made of handblown clear glass with nice wicke...
Glass
$1,236Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Cherry Wood Art Deco Box Carl Auböck, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Nice, well preserved Art Deco box made of cherry wood. By Carl Auböck, 1930s. Listed as a scetch drawing in catalog "Die Kataloge der Werkstätte Carl Auböck 1925-1975" [The catalo...
Copper
Carl Auböck #4273-2 Paperweight "Foot", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4273-2 Paperweight "Foot", Austria 2022.
Brass
$400 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Brass
Leaf-shaped Brass Bowl With Dark Patina By Werkstätte Carl Auböck ca' 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great organic/modern leaf shape bowl in patinated brass by Carl Aubock Werkstatte, Austria 1960's.
Brass
Mid-Century Carl Auböck Black Leather & Brass Wastepaper Basket, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and elegant, vintage Mid-Century Modern paper basket / paper bin from the 1950s. Designed an executed by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, Vienna / Austria. Handmade and hand-sewn ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Monumental Lifesize Brass Foot Sculpture, Werkstätte Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
We are offering this impressive 13“ long and 8“high brass foot sculpture, designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria. This charming and attention-grabbing ...
Brass
Iconic Carl Auböck Handcrafted Eye Bottle Stopper #4538, Cork & Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An attention-grabbing bottle stopper „Eye", model #4538, designed by Carl Aubock II back in the early 1950s. A charming object, handcrafted by Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna / Austria. ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Brass Heart Paperweight #5371-Large
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Auböck Brass Heart Paperweight #5371-Large produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, molds ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist heart keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck ...
Brass
Two Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Desk Pen & Pencil Holder Cups, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to two decorative handmade desk pen and pencil holders from the 1950s. Large models, designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, wo...
Horn
Mid Century Modern Horn Pen Stand by Carl Auböck Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This mid-century modern piece by Carl Auböck exemplifies the distinctive artistry of Austrian design. Crafted from natural horn, it serves as a stylish pen stand, adding a touch of o...
Horn
$630 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3548 Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3548 polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Razor Blade Brass Paperweight #5378, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A handmade paperweight in the shape of a razorblade, model 5378, originally designed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. A very charming piece, reissued by Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna / Aus...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Seahorse Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist seahorse keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped a...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4630 Large Patinated Rare Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4630 Large Patinated Rare Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of minimalist bookends are executed in patinated brass...
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3979 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3979 patinated brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Origin...
Brass
$1,880 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3855 'Atom' Brass Desk Clock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3855 'Atom' Brass Desk Clock Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese desk clock is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Tuning Fork Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist tuning fork keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length inc...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polis...
Brass
Carl Aubock Table Magnifier 1950 Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Aubock table magnifier, mid-20th century. Crafted from solid brass with high-quality optical glass, this elegant piece exemplifies Aubock’s meticulous craftsmanship and function...
Brass
Horn Bowl by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Horn Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Horn
Carl Aubock Horn Letter Opener, Paper Knife, Vienna, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative and rare minimalist Mid-Century letter opener from the 1960s, designed and handcrafted by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck workshop in Vienna. Handmade from a single piece of ...
Horn
Carl Aubock II Walnut Knife Holder with 6 Amboss Knives, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Lovely set of six beautiful midcentury fruit knives and a holder / stand, made of walnut and cork. Designed by Carl Aubock II and manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, ...
Stainless Steel
Solid Bronze Carl Auböck Heart Neiman Marcus Paperweight Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid bronze egg paperweight by Carl Aubock and sold through Neiman Marcus. Austria. 1970s.
Bronze
$472Sale Price|20% Off
Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Desk Pen & Pencil Holder Cup, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative handmade desk pen and pencil cup holder from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, workshop in Vienna / Austri...
Horn
Patinated Brass Aorta Vase by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Utrecht, NL
Large 'Aorta' vase by Carl Auböck in patinated brass. This aorta-shaped vase has a rough appearance that is accentuated by shiny brass openings. Designed by Carl Auböck II in 1949. ...
Brass
$620 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4317 Long Brass Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4317 Long Brass Dish Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceived as a fountain pen...
Brass
Pair of Polished Horn Bowls by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two shallow oval bowls hand-carved from natural horn, one in light translucent tones and the other in darker brown-black coloration. The organic form follows the natural cur...
Horn
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Wall Sculpture Napoleon #4271, Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wall sculpture „Napoleon", model #4059, designed by Carl Aubock II back in 1953. A charming object, handcrafted by Werkstätte Auböck in V...
Brass
Carl Auböck #3470 Patinated Brass Candleholder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck #3470 Patinated Brass Candleholder Designed in the 1940s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese candleholder is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
$760 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7240 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7240 Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl ...
Brass
$290 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Pro...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist star keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
$560 / item
Brass and Cane Letter Opener by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
For five generations the design house of Carl Aubock has been turning ordinary objects like paperweights and bookends into extraordinary objects of beauty in an old town house in Vie...
Brass
Auböck bussines card holder around 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Auböck bussines card holder around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Leather Penrest by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Small desk tray made of stitched natural leather, slightly curved to form a shallow resting surface for pens, pencils, or small desk items. The hand-sewn edges and thick saddle leat...
Leather
Carl Auböck Model #3310-4 'Flat' Brass and Leather Table Bell
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3310 Large Brass Bell with Leather Handle Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly functional and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass with a rich brown le...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4273-1 'Foot' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4273-1 'Foot' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte C...
Brass
Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Very Large Hand Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist XL Hand keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and...
Brass
$840Sale Price|40% Off
Carl Aubock Midcentury Black Cast Iron Bowl or Ashtray, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist metal bowl or ashtray, made of grey or black cast iron from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Carl Aubock in Austria. ...
Iron
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Wer...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austri...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4206A Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4206C patinated brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in patinated brass with a polish...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or ...
Brass
Cigarette Box by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Brass and wooden cigarette box, designed by Carl Auböck, shows a beautiful guilloche top surface. The brass shows fine patina, enriched by the contrast of the wooden sides of the box...
Brass
Carl Aubock Polished Brass Hand Bottle Opener #4224
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass hand bottle opener #4224. This whimsical 1950's hand bottle opener by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage ...
Brass
wondeful carl auböck peau porc box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
wondeful wooden carl auböck box covered with peau porc.
Metal, Nickel