Nutcracker with Cane-Wrapped Handles by Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Nutcracker with cane, #4051 by Carl Auböck. This hand nutcracker by Werkstätten Carl Auböck combines solid cast metal with tightly wrapped cane handles, transforming a simple kitchen tool into a sculptural object. The oval crushing chamber is formed with serrated interior teeth and joined by a central hinge for strong leverage, while the elongated handles are finished in pale rattan, adding warmth and a tactile contrast to the polished metal surface. The pairing of industrial casting and hand-applied natural material reflects the Auböck workshop’s characteristic balance of function, craft, and restrained humor. The rounded, weighty head anchors the form, while the tapering wrapped handles introduce rhythm and lightness, giving the object an almost anthropomorphic presence typical of mid-century Viennese design. Auböck stamp visible inside the jaw; surface patina, minor wear, consistent with age and use.