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.
2x Vintage Carl Auböck II Nickel-Plated Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to 2 Midcentury brass wall hooks, model 4330, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock II in Vienna, Austria. Sold and priced per piece. This is the more unusual nickel-p...
Brass, Nickel
Pair Carl Auböck Minimalist Mid-Century Brass Bookends #3653, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural book ends in the organic shape. Model number 3653, handmade of solid patinated and partly polished brass. Designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in the 19...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...
Brass
Pair Carl Auböck Mid-Century Earlobes Brass Bookends #3848, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural bookends in an organic form, lovingly referred to by Auböck as “earlobes.” Model number 3848. Handcrafted from solid brass with a patinated and polish...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length including...
Brass
Elegant Mid Century Modern Brass Pipe Holder By Carl Auböck, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in München, BY
Elegant midcentury brass pipe stand designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck, Austria circa 1950. The sculptural pipe stand is cast from solid brass. A great patina covers the bras...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Patinated Brass Wall Coat Hooks, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Austrian Mid-Century Modern solid brass hook by Carl Auböck II. Made of polished and patinated solid brass and come with the original brass screws. The same hooks were sold...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Anchor Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist Anchor keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Lucky Charm Pig Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist pig keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Aus...
Brass
Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", model #4617-2, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Identical to the brass key ring...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Peanut Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist peanut keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in poli...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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. Each piec...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5663 'Shell' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #5663 'Shell' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per it...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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. Each pi...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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. Each piec...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5608 'Donkey' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5608 'Donkey' Brass Figurine Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per ite...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3848 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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. Each piece bears the ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Elephant Handmade Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist elephant keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte A...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Each piece is stampe...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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. Each piece...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 Brass and Cane 'Flatiron' Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished or patinat...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Horn Lighter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Brass Bell by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mid-Century Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck bell, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Rare Carl Auböck Coat Rack With Hat Rack, Wardrobe, Brass, Walnut & Beech, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An elegant modernist wall-mounted coat rack from the 1950s. An original and old vintage object, designed and executed by the Austrian architect and designer Carl Auböck. This is a un...
Brass
Authentic Massive Brass Ashtray and Extinguisher by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
In this listing you will find an extremely rare brass ashtray or pipe holder designed by Carl Auböck in 1948. It features beautiful and elegant lines, part of the exquisite craftsman...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chess Set by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
A chessboard made from black and natural leather with 32 nickel pieces. Designed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck. Made in Vienna.
Nickel
Pair Carl Auböck Minimalist Mid-Century Brass Bookends #3847, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural book ends in the organic shape. Model „T“ number 3847, handmade of solid patinated and partly polished brass. Designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in th...
Brass
1960s Leather-Wrapped Humidor by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Humidor by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Cylindrical leather-wrapped body with hand-stitched detail and a solid brass lid. Metal-lined interior with removable insert. Beautiful patina and ...
Aluminum, Brass
Wall Coat Rack by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Beech Wood & Brass, Austria 1955
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Wall coat rack designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. Beech wood with 6 pieces of solid brass hooks or alternatively with 6 blackened brass hooks . Good v...
Brass
Carl Auböck II Midcentury Magazine Rack, Brass & Brown Leather, Vintage, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist original and old newspaper stand / magazine rack from the 1950s. Model No. 3808. Designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck, Austria. The news rack is in very go...
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
Carl Aubock Modernist Cast Iron Chess Game Set with Handmade Leather Board
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A very exceptional and beautiful Minimalist Mid-Century Modern chess game, model #5606, designed by Carl Aubock III in 1969. Executed by Werkstätte Aub...
Iron, Nickel
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and geometric pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass with ...
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 Auböck Brass Bookends, Mid-Century Modern, Austrian Design, 2000s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in polished brass.
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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....
Brass
Large Magazine Rack by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
For five generations the design house of Carl Aub?ock has been turning ordinary objects like paperweights and bookends into extraordinary objects of beauty in an old town house in Vi...
Brass
$1,087 / item
Carl Auböck #3691-2 Bell "Bundestag", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3691-2 bell "Bundestag", Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4019-2 Cognac Leather and Brass Magazine Rack
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4019-2 Cognac Leather and Brass Magazine Rack Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural magazine rack is executed in beautifully grained brown...
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
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Bookends with Brass Hands #1928, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist but charming sculptural book ends in the shape of a hands. Model number 1928, handmade of solid polished brass and metal, designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in t...
Metal, Brass
$1,207Sale Price|20% Off
Brass and Teak Coat Hanger by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus, Denmark, 1950s —
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare and iconic coat hanger designed by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus in Denmark during the 1950s, blending elegant Scandinavian minimalism with refined craftsmanship. The piece f...
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.
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 Four Midcentury Patinated Brass Wall Coat Hooks, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Austrian Mid-Century Modern solid brass hooks by Carl Auböck II from 1950s. They are made of patinated solid brass with polished details. ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Hand Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist Hand keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ma...
Brass
Carl Aubock Wall Coat Rack with 5 Brass Hooks, Walnut, Iron, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A Minimalist Mid Century modern wall-mounted coat rack, equipped with five „5“-shaped polished solid brass wall hooks. This is an early model from the early 1950s, designed and execu...
Iron
Carl Auböck Eight Midcentury Patinated Brass Wall Coat Hooks, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Eight beautiful Austrian Mid-Century Modern solid brass hooks by Carl Auböck II from 1950s. They are made of polished and patinated solid brass. The same hooks were sold at an aucti...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Newspaper Tray by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4488 newspaper tray in leather and brass, Austria. New. Available in brown or black leather.
Brass
Carl Auböck II Midcentury Magazine Rack, Brass & Brown Leather, Vintage, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist original and old newspaper stand / magazine rack from the 1950s. Model No. 3808. Designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck, Austria. The news rack is in very goo...
Brass
Carl Auböck Magazine Rack No. 4102, Patinated Brass Leather, 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A gorgeous and large magazine or newspaper tray made of patined brass and black leather designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop, Vienna, Austria, in midcentury ...
Brass
Carl Auböck, 2/40 Midcentury Brass Plated Coat Hangers, No.5714, 1960s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
2 of 40 Beautiful Mid-Century Modern cloth hangers designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in 1960s. They are made of brass-plated solid steel. Of almost continuous organic shape wi...
Brass, Steel
Carl Aubock Walnut & Leather Hand Mirror & Clothes Brush, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Mid-Century hand mirror and clothes brush combination from the 1950s. Designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock Vienna. The handle is...
Leather, Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Carl Auböck Model #3808 Brown Leather and Brass Magazine Rack
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3808 Brown Leather and Brass Magazine Rack Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural magazine rack is executed in beautifully grained brown co...
Brass
Brass & Glass Magnifier by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This handheld magnifier by Carl Auböck turns a simple optical tool into a small object of ritual. A thick domed glass lens is set into a warm brass frame, its weight and patina emph...
Brass
Large Carl Aubock Midcentury Walnut Ring Clothes Brush, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful large ring-shaped modernist wall-hung coat rack clothes brush from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Carl Aubock, Vienna, in the 1950s....
Goat Hair, Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bookends by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.
Brass
Carl Aubock III Pair Triangular Golden Iron Bookends 5443, Vienna/Austria, 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimal yet beautiful triangular metal bookends from the 1970s, model #5443, designed and crafted by Carl Auböck III at the Carl Auböck Werkstätte workshop. They are made o...
Iron