Designer: Carl Auböck II (1900 – 1957) and Carl Auböck III (1924 - 1993)

Item: Key Corkscrew Small Model

Manufactured by: Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Circa late 1930s to early 1940s

Materials: Brass and steel

Dimensions:  ½” x 3 ½” x 2” 

Condition: Very good for its age with a beautiful patina and some age related staining to the brass as seen.  

References: Wright Auction Catalog; The Workshop: Carl Auböck Designs 1930-1980 (2016); Kois, Clemens, Carl Auböck: The Workshop, Powerhouse Books (2012); Auböck, Carl IV, die kataloge der werkstätte carl auböck 1925 – 1975, Carl Auböck Archive (2005); Auböck, Carl IV, die arbeiten der Werkstätte carl auböck – fotografiert von 1948 – 2005, Carl Auböck Archive (2009); Kuzmany, Marion, Auböck 1924 - 1993 Architect: Design for Modern Living, Verlang Anton Pustet (2009).

Description: Here is perhaps the most famous, most ubiquitous and most copied Auböck design of all time. Although most sources cite Carl II as the designer it was actually the collaborative work of both Carl II and his son Carl III, when Carl III was just 14 years old.

Based on its overall condition and the natural patina it has acquired we believe this to be an early example of this object dating from sometime between the late 1930s to the late 1940s. Drawings for this design are found in the Archives book starting in 1938. It is marked with the correct impressed “Auböck” and “Made in Austria” on the end of the key as shown.  It is quite heavy for its small stature and feels great in your hands.  These were made in three sizes from this smallest version up to the largest which was 6” in length. We have an unsigned example in the medium size available for sale, just email us for details if you are interested.