Designer: Carl Auböck II (1900 – 1957)

Item: Praying Hands Bookends Version II Model #3651

Manufactured by: Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: 1970s or early 80s

Materials: Patinated Brass

Dimensions:  Each is 4 ¾” x 2 ¼” x 3 ½”

Condition: Very Good to Excellent. 

Description: Here is another iconic Auböck design for bookends commonly referred to as Praying Hands Version II and is model #3651, dating the actual original design to 1947.  This pair were likely manufactured in the earlier 1980s based on the patination and age to the nonpatinated base sections, as well as the retail price sticker on the bottom of one example.  This is a well documented model and is still being produced, but the contemporary versions have a very highly polished finish to both the bottom bases and the top flats where they meet.  As shown, the bottom bases were not patinated, and not polished, and the hands that meet are patinated. Both are marked with a proper vintage Auböck and Made in Austria impressed marks, as well as the numbers 02 as shown.  We are unsure if this numbering means they were factory seconds or not, because on other pairs of bookends we have seen the number 1 and then 2 indicating a matching pair.  There is also a paper label affixed likely from the retailer with a retail price of $435, likely dating this piece to the 1980s.  The paper label appears to have at least 40 years of aging to it.

References: Kois, Clemens, Carl Auböck: The Workshop, Powerhouse Books (2012); Auböck, Carl IV, die kataloge der werkstätte carl auböck (1925 - 2016) – 1975, Carl Auböck Archive (2005); Auböck, Carl IV, die arbeiten der Werkstätte carl auböck – fotografiert von 1948 – 2005, Carl Auböck Archive (2009).