Objet d’art are necessary when styling a space … but only to be used sparingly.  Especially divine are the modernist brass accessories from Werkstätte Carl Auböck. Presently run by the 4^th generation and maintaining their original 19^th century workshop in Vienna, the artisans continue to produce the typical “Weiner Bronzen” perfected by the second Carl Auböck (1900-1957), one of the best-known figures of Austrian modernism. Beloved by contemporaries like Walter Gropius and Charles and Ray Eames, these pieces are now competitively sought after by collectors like Michael Maharam and Diane von Furstenberg.

What is distinctive is their treatment of brass; they polish and patinate it to achieve a contrast and character rarely seen in any other type of brass work. Add to that their old world craftsmanship and modern design and you have a super-star winning combination.

image credit: Original Berlin. Clockwise from the top left, bookends #3848; egg paperweight #4867; bookends #3530; ashtray #3904. Available through StillFried Wien, New York.