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.
Carl Aubock Big Brass Coin Cork Screw, Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful "Prince Albert" coin cork screw, designed and executed by Carl Aubock, Austria, 1950s. In very good condition.
Brass
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck Original condition
Metal, Brass
Signed Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Signed Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1950s Original patina Original condition
Brass
Bottle Holder with Cane-Wrapped Handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This bottle holder by Werkstätten Carl Auböck is made from a single bent brass rod forming a continuous frame that supports the bottle at the base while the upper loop acts as handle...
Brass
Carl Auböck II Barboy Bottle Opener & Corkscrew, Leather & Steel, Amboss Austria
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful bird-shaped bottle opener & corkscrew, made of stainless steel, covered with dark-brown leather. Designed by Carl Aubock II, Vienna. Executed in the 1960 by Amboss Austri...
Stainless Steel
Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Opener, Around 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Auböck brass coin bottle opener, around 1950s, Austria Oroginal condition.
Brass
Bottle Holder by Auböck Around, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle Holder by Auböck Around, 1950s (The bottle is only for the photoshooting and it is not included.) Original condition
Brass
Auböck Bottle Stopper Vienna Around, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Auböck bottle stopper vienna around 1950s. Original condition.
Brass
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle opener in key design by Auböck. Original condition.
Metal, Brass
$649Sale Price|20% Off
Carl Auböck Nutcracker with Leather Handles, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Carl Auböck nutcracker with leather handles, 1950s. Original condition.
Brass
Original Brass Carl Auböck Korkscrew
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful and unique corkscrew is made from stainless steel and features a brass handle with an antique coin replica. Design by Austrian Bauhaus designer Carl Auböck and crafted...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Auböck Brass Key Paperweight & Cork Screw, Corkscrew, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Carl Auböck "Key" bottle opener, corkscrew & paperweight in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The key is in a very good condition. We ship via DHL...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Carl Auböck Brass "Paragraph" Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An exceptional mid-century modern bottle opener designed by Carl Auböck II for the renowned Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna, Austria, circa 1960. This elegant bar tool is crafted fr...
Brass
Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Opener, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Auböck coin bottle opener in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The casting is very fine because this is an earlier opener. T...
Brass
Auböck White Wine Bottle Holder, Midcentury, Brass and Leather, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Minimalistic Auböck white or rosé wine bottle holder in solid brass with leather handle, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. This pourer was designe...
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Cane-Wrapped Walnut Brass Cigarette Box Carl Auböck II
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A superb example of Mid-Century Austrian design, this iconic Cigarette Box (Model #3656) was designed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s and handcrafted at the renowned Werkstätte Auböck...
Brass
Midcentury Auböck Bottle Stopper Historical Coin Motive
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bottle stopper with a historical coin motive. It was crafted from brass and cork and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It represen...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bottle Opener by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bottle opener, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Carl Auböck #4682 Bottle Stopper "Face", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4682 bottle stopper "Face", Austria 2022.
Brass
Brass corkscrew key by Auböck Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Brass corkscrew key by Auböck Austria, 1950s, good condition
Brass
Original Aubock glass carafe with a leather cuff and brass handle
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This colorless glass carafe by Carl Aubock was produced in 3 different sizes, our bitcher is the largest one. It comes with the original leather wrapped stripe with sewn in brass han...
Brass
Silver Plated Brass Coin Bottle Opener by Carl Aubock, circa 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Silver plated brass coin bottle opener, incorporating a 2 florin coin, by Carl Auböck, circa 1950. The front shows a Facsimile coin, dated 1881, with a po...
Brass
Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass and Leather, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck nutcracker in brass and leather, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Midcentury Auböck Bottle Stopper Historical Coin Motive
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bottle stopper with a historical coin motive. It was crafted from brass and cork and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It represen...
Brass
Mid-Century Carl Auböck Bottle Stopper Leather and Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Mid-Century Modern design. The bottle stopper was carefully hand crafted out of leather. It has a brass eyelet connecting the round base of the cork to ...
Brass
Key-shaped Corkscrew with pierced Bow Handle, by Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Corkscrew designed like an old-fashioned key, with a pierced, scrollwork “bow” handle in a warm brass tone. A steel spiral worm extends from the stem, and a separate cylindrical slee...
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck II Boot Opener Model 4563 circa 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Auböck II Boot Opener Model 4563 circa 1950 Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria This stylish boot opener by Carl Auböck II is crafted from solid brass with a stunning blackened pati...
Brass
Very Large Mid-Century Modern Carl Auböck Walnut Cutting Board
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional cutting and serving board is a quintessential example of the organic modernism championed by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna during the 1950s. Handcrafted from ...
Walnut, Leather
Carl Auböck #4275 Corkscrew "Foot" with Sheath, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4275 Corkscrew "Foot" with Sheath, Austria 2022.
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck Brass and Steel Cork Screw, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cork Screw, Austria 1960s.
Steel
Carl Auböck #4675 Bottle Opener "Horseshoe", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4675 Bottle Opener "Horseshoe", Austria 2022.
Brass
jug 1621 by kaj franck and glass coasters no. 3804 by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
very rare no. 6121 jug by kay franck for nuutajärvi and 6 very rare glass coaster with stand from the carl auböck workshop.
Brass
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Brass and Rubber Bottle Holder, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bottle holder, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bottle Opener by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bottle opener, Austria, 1960s.
Brass
Large Mid-Century Brass "Key" Corkscrew & Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A magnificent and iconic example of Austrian Mid-Century Modernism, this sculptural bottle opener and corkscrew was designed by Carl Auböck III in the 1950s. Executed by the renowned...
Brass
Carl Auböck Brass Shoe Bottle Opener, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Shoe shaped bottle opener, Austria, 1960s.
Brass
Carl Auböck #4568 Cork Screw "Horn", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4568 cork screw "Horn", Austria, 2022.
Brass, Steel
Patinated Brass Fruit Sieve by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7226-2 Fruit Sieve in patinated brass, Austria 2022.
Brass
Glass Pitcher with Leather Sleeve by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Glass pitcher with hand-stitched leather sleeve and handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. The clear cylindrical glass body is fitted with a thick natural leather wrap, stitched by hand a...
Leather, Glass
Carl Auböck #3687 Corkscrew Key, Polished Brass & Steel, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3687 corkscrew "Key", Austria 2022.
Brass, Steel
rare variation of the famous no. 3703 ice bucket plus tongs
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
previous unknown smaller version of the model no.3703
Metal
Carl Auböck Corkscrew #5970-1 "Modern Key", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Corkscrew #5970-1 "Modern Key", Austria 2022.
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck #7252-3 Fruit Sieve in Patinated Brass, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7252-3 Fruit Sieve in patinated brass, Austria 2022.
Brass
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck ( marked )
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck ( marked ) Original condition
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck Horn and Steel Cork Screw, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck horn and steel cork screw, Austria 1960s.
Steel
Carl Auböck Elefant Corkscrew, Brass & Steel, Mid-Century, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Key-shaped brass corkscrew by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. Triangular handle with logo and elephant motif, a screw-out corkscrew, and a bottle-opener cut-out at the end. Light wear and pa...
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck #5971-1 Corkstopper "Modern Key", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #5971-1 Corkstopper "Modern Key", Austria, 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #4224 Bottle Opener "Hand", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4224 Bottle Opener "Hand", Austria 2022. Please get in touch with us regarding the exact measurements of the item.
Brass
MCM Bottle Opener in brass by Carl Aubock, Austria 1940s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find vintage brass coin bottle opener depicting Emperor Carl VI, designed by renowned Viennese deaigner Carl Auböck. The bottle opener is integrated with a ...
Brass
$300 / item
Carl Aubock "Wrist" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock "Wrist" hand Cork stopper #4220. This beautifully crafted cork stopper by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and funct...
Brass
Carl Aubock Brass Coin Bottle Stopper, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Carl Aubock brass coin bottle stopper, Austria, 1950s Original condition.
Brass
Carl Auböck Coin Bottle Stopper
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Vintage coin bottle stopper made by the Auböck Werkstätte in the 1950s. In cast brass, it bears the Auböck stamp on the coin. In very good condition.
Brass
Pair of Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Stopper, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Pair of beautiful large Auböck coin bottle stoppers in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The casting is very fine because these are th...
Brass
Carl Auböck Black Leather Cork Stopper
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Great leather bottle stopper with the original leather string.
Leather
Carl Auböck Brass Key Corkscrew with Elephant
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A cast brass corkscrew featuring an Elephant designed and made by Carl Auböck II in Vienna, Austria, in the 1950s. This item was made as an exclusive corporate gift and so is a rare ...
Brass
Midcentury Auböck Bottle Stopper Historical Coin Motive
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bottle stopper with a historical coin motive. It was crafted from brass and cork and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It represen...
Brass
Pincer in Brass and Braided Leather by Carl Auböck, 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pincer in Brass and Braided Leather by Carl Auböck, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and braided leather Style: Mid century, Europe Produced by Carl Auböck workshop in...
Brass
Wood Nutcracker Designed by Carl Auböck III
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
This nutcracker by Carl Auböck III by is a simply elegant design. The wooden sides feel very nice in hand, and the ebony and maple contrast and complem...
Ebony, Maple
Mid-Century Modern Corkscrews by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck set of 2 cork screws, Austria 1960s. Please get in touch with us regarding the exact measurements.
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck Brass Nutcracker, Mid-Century Modern, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass nutcracker by Werkstätte Carl Auböck with curved handles and ribbed detailing near the hinge. Sculptural mid-century design with warm patina and light surface wear from age and...
Brass