Designer: Carl Auböck III (1923 – 1993)

Item: Duck Dresser Valet Model 4960

Manufactured by: Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Circa 1960s

Materials: Turkish walnut, ebony and horn

Dimensions: 6” x 14 ½” x 5 ¼”

Condition: Very good to excellent.  Some wear from actual use.

References: Auböck, Carl IV, die kataloge der werkstätte carl auböck (1925 - 2016) – 1975, Carl Auböck Archive (2005) page F/15.  Auböck, Carl IV, die arbeiten der Werkstätte carl auböck – fotografiert von 1948 – 2005, Carl Auböck Archiv (2009); Kois, Clemens, Carl Auböck: The Workshop, Powerhouse Books (2012); Wright Auction Catalog; The Workshop: Carl Auböck Designs 1930-1980 (2016).

Description: Here is a harder to find but iconic Carl Auböck design for a wood duck men’s valet used for holding keys, change and watches made to sit on a dresser top.  It is crafted from Turkish Walnut, with ebony eyes and a horn bill, made in the 1960s. This example has the correct Made in Austria impressed mark on the bottom.  Examples of this design can be found in the Auböck archives books and the Kois book.