Carl Auböck ice bucket

This rare ice bucket and pincer set, designed by Carl Auböck and produced by the Carl Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria, is a striking example of mid-century modern craftsmanship where utility and aesthetic integrity intersect seamlessly. Auböck’s designs are celebrated for their innovative material juxtapositions and their refined, minimalist forms—qualities that are clearly embodied in this ensemble.

The ice bucket features a tapered, conical form made from copper, with a rich, reddish-brown patina that has developed over time. The aging process has given the surface a warm, variegated character, with areas of soft oxidation that enhance its vintage charm and attest to its authenticity. The silhouette is compact yet robust, designed with a balanced base and clean lines that express both elegance and functionality.

An arched handle spans the bucket’s opening, wrapped in braided leather in a reddish-brown hue. This leather detail not only provides a tactile contrast to the smooth copper but also reinforces the handcrafted sensibility that defines much of Auböck’s work. The handle is securely mounted and structurally sound, exhibiting wear consistent with age and use but retaining its original form and integrity.

The accompanying pincer continues the material dialogue seen in the bucket. The tongs are made from polished brass with a forked, curved design that ensures functional grip while maintaining a sculptural simplicity. Like the bucket, the tongs feature woven leather handles that mirror the color and texture of the bucket’s handle, visually unifying the set. The brass surfaces have retained much of their original luster, showing only light surface marks and signs of use, contributing to the piece’s overall character.

Carl Auböck (1900–1957), a central figure in Austrian modernist design, was trained as a sculptor and later inherited and transformed his family’s workshop into a studio for modernist object design. The workshop became internationally known for its unique fusion of materials—particularly brass, leather, and wood—and for creating functional objects with artistic sensibility. Items such as this ice bucket and pincer represent the workshop’s core values: meticulous craftsmanship, material richness, and timeless design.The set is in very good vintage condition. The copper bucket shows natural patination and surface wear, characteristic of aged copper. The leather-wrapped handle remains intact, showing signs of age but no structural issues. The brass pincer exhibits minor surface marks and aging to the leather, all of which enhance the vintage appeal and affirm its authenticity.

• Bucket: 16 cm wide, 12 cm deep, 18 cm high (approx. 6.3 × 4.7 × 7.1 inches)
• Pincer: 13.5 cm long, 4 cm wide, 1.5 cm high (approx. 5.3 × 1.6 × 0.6 inches)