Carl Auböck attrib. bowl

This sculptural serving bowl, attributed to Carl Auböck and produced during the 1950s, embodies the distinctive aesthetic of the Auböck Werkstätte in Vienna, where industrial materials were combined with artisanal craftsmanship to create refined yet playful modernist objects. The design reflects the workshop’s synthesis of function and sculptural abstraction, executed here through a careful balance of form, material, and surface treatment.

The bowl is made of copper, shallow and gently asymmetric in shape, with soft curves that create a subtle irregularity across the rim and basin. The surface shows a warm patina, rich in tonal variation, which has developed naturally over time and is characteristic of unpolished, untreated copper. Resting on three slender, bent brass legs, the bowl is slightly elevated above the surface, giving it a poised and lightweight appearance despite the density of its materials.

An integrated brass handle rises from the base in a looping gesture, terminating in a tight circular flourish. The upper section of the handle is partially wrapped in black cord, coiled with precision to offer both a tactile contrast and a practical grip. This wrapped detail, a recurring element in Auböck designs, introduces a crafted softness to the otherwise metallic composition and highlights the studio’s attention to detail in the treatment of surface and texture.

While this piece is unsigned, its materials and construction—particularly the combination of patinated copper and brass, the asymmetrical organic geometry, and the use of wrapped elements—align closely with works attributed to Carl Auböck and his studio during the 1950s. The Auböck Werkstätte, established in Vienna in the 1920s and continued by multiple generations of the family, became known for an eclectic body of work that ranged from smoking accessories and bookends to small-scale furnishings and vessels, often produced in limited quantities or as one-off objects.

This bowl is in good vintage condition, with a well-preserved original patina and surface wear consistent with age. The black cord wrapping remains tightly bound and intact. The piece has not been cleaned or polished, in keeping with its original finish and visual character.

The dimensions are 25 cm in width, 27 cm in depth, and 17 cm in height (approximately 9.8 x 10.6 x 6.7 inches).