Designer: Carl Auböck III (1924 – 1993)

Item: Key corkscrew bottle opener Model 5920

Manufactured by: Werkstatte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Probably 1990s

Materials: Nickel over brass

Dimensions: 5 ¾” x 2 ¾” x ¾”

Condition: Mint with original retailers price tag.

References: 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 a great Auböck designed corkscrew.  Auböck has produced several different versions of corkscrews/bottle openers fashioned as large keys over the decades.  This appears to be either New Old Stock that failed to sell at Barneys in New York City, or it was purchased at Barney’s and put away and never used.  At the time it was priced new at $795.  At one time Barney’s retailed a number of Auböck designed items such as bookends and paper weights.  This model is referred to in the 2015 Auböck catalog as the "Modern Key." This is a heavy and well made object that feels great in your hands, and is a delight to look at.