Designer: Carl Auböck II (1900 – 1957)

Item: Safety pin paperweight Model 4992

Manufactured by: Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: Circa late 1950s

Materials: Brass

Dimensions: 8 ¾” x 2” x 3/8” 

Condition: Excellent. 

References: 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).

Description: Here is another whimsical design for a paperweight desk accessory by Carl Auböck II.  Made of solid brass, it shows the handcrafted tooling of a quality object made by hand at the Werkstätte.  This example is not signed, but it was authenticated by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck who advised that some items were not impressed due concerns about possibly damaging the object.  The brass has developed a beautiful mellow patina from age as this is clearly is a vintage object.

Although this model is still in production today, finding good vintage examples can be difficult.  It is large, heavy and extremely well made, and would make a terrific desk top accoutrement. Moreover, it is simply just fun to handle.