Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Mexican, b. 1936
The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg works in a richly detailed, Surrealist and eccentric artistic style that blends influences from neoclassical art, M.C. Escher and native Mesoamerican symbolism. He is best known for his Hand chair — a functional sculpture that is an icon of design-as-art.
Friedeberg was born in Florence to German parents and moved with his mother to Mexico at the outset of World War II. As a university student in Mexico City in the 1950s, he initially studied architecture, but his designs for fantastical buildings ran afoul of his rationalist, Bauhaus-oriented teachers.
By chance, Friedeberg’s drawings came to the attention of Mathias Goeritz, the German-born Dadaist painter and sculptor. He encouraged Friedeberg and made him a protégé. Friedeberg credits his mentor for instilling in him a fanatical attention to detail in his work. Friedeberg produced his first Hand chair in 1961, and has since created numerous iterations. He has also made several variants using other human limbs in different functional forms such as tables and clocks.
While Friedeberg’s sculptures have a gentle character that is sometimes described as spiritual, his paintings and prints are something entirely different. He employs deep perspective to create hypnotic, painstakingly rendered canvases that suggest rooms and cityscapes.
Whatever the medium, Friedeberg’s work is arresting and instantly recognizable. The Hand chair, though familiar, remains a captivating piece — both furniture and artwork — that stands apart in any interior. Examples are often priced between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on formal variations (such as a foot-shaped pedestal), material and condition. Smaller functional items such as tabletop clocks bring about $9,000. His paintings and drawings require space; they are meant to be contemplated. Prices on original examples start at about $30,000; prints generally sell in the region of $900.
As you will see on 1stDibs, the art and design of Pedro Friedeberg is singular and memorable.
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Creator: Pedro Friedeberg
Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair, 1960s
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Uccle, BE
This beautiful golden brown Pedro Friedeberg hand chair was commissioned in the 1960s and is crafted of solid Honduran Mahogany. In 1961 when Pedro was working with artist Mathias Go...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg Hands & Feet Table. Gold Leaf. Original and Rare
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg surrealist table. Glass with gold leafed hand carved wood. An exceptional example of the artists work. Could be used as a coffee table, occasional table, side tab...
Category
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Moon Mahogany Wood Art Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg hand Moon Mahogany wood art sculpture
Signed piece
Measures: 11.88 tall x 2 depth x 3.5 width
Preowned original vintage un...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand Foot Chair Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg hand foot miniature chair sculpture.
Preowned original vintage unrestored condition. Signs of wear present.
Measures: 4.38 tall x 3.5 deep x 2.5 wide.
See o...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Minotaur Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example of Pedro Friedeberg's Magic-Surrealist Oeuvre.
An Image of the sculpture has been submitted to, and accepted by Mr. Friedeberg for their upcoming
Catalog of Works.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Hands Feet Surrealist Gold Leafed Occasional Table. 1960s.
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful Pedro Friedeberg side / end / occasional table. Wood construction with gold leaf finish and original glass top. One hand can be removed to remove the glass top. Some los...
Category
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Foot Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example of this iconic form.
Cleaned and polished original surface.
Signed on the underside of the feet.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg Silver Gilt Vintage Hand Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Westport, CT
Pedro Friedeberg handcrafted silver leaf hand clock, vintage early 1960s, with original label from dated service inside, 1969.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Silver
Surrealism Sculptural Hand Table Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning hand and foot table design and made by Mexican Surrealism artist Pedro Friedeberg in his iconic hand and leg motifs. Made of laminated an...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
One of a Kind Pedro Friedeberg Hands and Ties Chair Gold Leaf
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
This is an extremely rare opportunity. One off chair by artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg. This stunning chair is upholstered in Mr. Friedeberg's own personal neck ties. 17 hand-c...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pedro Friedeberg Moon Face with Hands Table Top Sculpture, 1970s, Signed.
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Moon Face / Half Moon Table top Sculpture. Walnut and wood with gold leaf. Very good condition. Few if any signs of handling. Signed to the back "Pedro Friedebe...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Pedro Friedeberg Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful gold-leafed variation of this form.
Signed under the foot.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Pedro Friedeberg Relief Sculpture/Wall Art, 1970s
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early and spectacular example.
"Comprendtendo Mu" (I Understand)
Acrylic, pen and Ink and carved wood.
Signed, titled and dated 1970.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Acrylic
Pedro Friedeberg Mano Mariposa Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example of an iconic butterfly form.Beautifully hand painted and signed by the artist.
A copy of the original receipt and correspondence.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Pedro Friedeberg Mixed-Media
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example titled Satans Sweatshirt, 1969.
This example was loaned by a prominent early collector to the seminal Bryon Gallery Single artist show 1969, NYC.
Hand drawn images...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Snake Bar / Server / Table / Candle Holder / Sculpture, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Snake bar, Mexico, c. 1970s. Made of carved and gilt wood, antique statuary, and glass. The stretched out hands hold the round removable glass tray and the upper han...
Category
1970s Mexican Post-Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Framed Surrealistic Painting by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artists: Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, b. 1936)
Title: "Nietzche's Last Picnic"
Year: 1969
Medium: oil, pen and ink on board
Size: 15 x 20"
Marked: signed and dated "MCMLXIX" mid-...
Category
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Paint
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Dallas, TX
A Wonderful and Miniature Hand Sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg (b. 1936)
Of Silver Leaf over Carved Wood.
Signed On The Bottom.
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Sculpture Closed Hands
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example
signed at the bottoma.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Dog Table Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Open armed Friedeberg dog sculpture
An early example of whimsical surrealism.
Signed on base.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Unique Sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very unique sculpture entitled "Mr. Architekt" by surrealist Mexican artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (b. 1937). Circa 1960s, this sculpture was made from carved and painted wood, found objects such as rules and combs, and antique santo...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Surrealistic Sculptural Clock by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
An iconic carved sculptural clock by the famed Mexican surrealistic artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, b. 1937) circa 1960s. The whimsical...
Category
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg 1970's Gold Leaf and Wood Hand - Sun Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1970's carved wood with gold leaf "hand - sun" sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg. Signed on the base.
Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist and designer known by his surrealist work f...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
1970s Pedro Friedeberg Kabalah Abstract Op Art Lithograph
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Abstract Op Art Lithograph Kabalah by Pedro Friedeberg A P 6/10
Bright colors bold patterns provide illusion and fantasy.
Signed in pencil.
30 h x 30.25 x .75 Art 28.75 x 28.75...
Category
1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Signed Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair an Exceptional Example
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Authentic, signed hand-painted and gold leafed Pedro Friedeberg butterfly chair in excellent condition.
Category
Early 2000s Mexican Post-Modern Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pedro Friedeberg "Musical Monkeys by Day" Limited Edition Engraving
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
"Monos Musicales de Día" (Musical Monkeys by Day). Engraving print by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. Copperplate engraving on Hahnemühle 300 g. 100% cotton paper. Edition of 86 pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Post-Modern Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Crocodile Bronze Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
Crocodile wearing black heels. Bronze sculpture. Numbered IX / X. Signed by Pedro Friedeberg, Limited 10-pieces edition. Certificate included.
Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist...
Category
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Four Arm Candelabra
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Stem Candelabra Mexico
Four Stem candle holders for Candle .75
24 h x 12 x 12
Signed
Original preowned vin...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Gold
Pedro Friedeberg Untitled (Hand Truck) Table Top Sculpture. Mexico, 1978, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Surrealist sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. This piece was created in 1978 featuring carved and gold leaf hands, carved walnut birds, carved wood hands, and brass elements attached to the lacquered wood truck...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pedro Friedeberg Zebra, Ink on Paper from the Jungle Series
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
Important painting by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg depicting a zebra, from The Jungle series. Exposed in the 1984 exhibition at Galería de Arte Misrachi, Mexico City. Originally c...
Category
1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Paper
Framed Surrealistic Drawing by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, 1936-)
Title:Le Tombeau D'Hemingway
Year: 1963
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper:
Size: 14 3/4 x 19 1/2 plus 3 inch frame
Mark: upper lef...
Category
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Egyptian Cat Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in NYC, NY
A very unusual table clock designed by Pedro Friedeberg featuring a wooden black Egyptian cat with the clock on its torso. The clock is also made of wood,...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg, Hand Foot Stool, MEX
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in New York, NY
Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work filled with lines colors and ancient and religious symbols. His best known piece is the “Hand-Chair” a sculpture/chair designed for people to sit on the palm, using the fingers as back and arm rests. Friedeberg began studying as an architect but did not complete his studies as he began to draw designs against the conventional forms of the 1950s. His work caught the attention of artist Mathias Goeritz, who encouraged him to continue as an artist. Friedeberg became part of a group of surrealist artists in Mexico which included Leonora Carrington and Alice Rahon...
Category
1990s American Pedro Friedeberg Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Pedro Friedeberg furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Pedro Friedeberg furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Pedro Friedeberg were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Sergio Bustamante, Feliciano Béjar, and Leonardo Nierman. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $325 and can go as high as $50,244, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,000.
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