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.
Pedro Friedeberg, "Hand Foot", unique sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chatsworth, CA
Pedro Friedeberg Unique Hand Foot Sculpture Gilt finished wood Signed PEDRO FRIEDEBERG on bottom of the foot 12 inches tall, 6 inches wide (base of hand), 3 inches wide (base of foot...
Wood
$3,712Sale Price|25% Off
Mano Sol (rare giltwood sculpture)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Gold Leaf
$5,962Sale Price|25% Off
Reloj Astrologico (rare bronze sculpture with working clock)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture with a working clock. Incised Pedro Friedberg on the base. Incised PA (artist proof) on the base. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excelle...
Bronze
$3,712Sale Price|25% Off
Mano Luna (rare giltwood sculpture)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved giltwood sculpture. Signed Pedro Friedberg on the underside of the base. Size: 10 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent co...
Gold Leaf
Fiesta
By Carol Gold
Located in Loveland, CO
"Fiesta" by Carol Gold Abstract Figurative Bronze A couple of figures dancing. 29.5x36x9" ed/10 (AP available) The monumental version of this sculpture was placed on the pedestrian...
Bronze
Open Heart - Red
By Cat Sirot
Located in New York, NY
Cat Sirot is a French plastic artist, with a focus on painting and Sculpture. She lives near Paris and works in her Argenteuil Studio. Through her sculptural...
Gold Leaf
$1,600
H 18.5 in W 9.5 in D 13.75 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd "THE GREATEST" Sculpture from Huichol ALTERATIONS Series
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
THE GREATEST!!!!!! ALTERATION ART . . . is a collaboration process between CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd, fine artist and art dealer with over 40 years experience, and various Mexican Hui...
Glass, Mixed Media
$8,500
H 18 in W 7 in D 7 in
Large Original Surrealist Bronze Marble Sculpture Alma Del Quijote Salvador Dali
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Surfside, FL
Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) Alma del Quijote Bronze with marble base Edition: AB 52/100 Signed by Dalí This Surrealist sculpture depicts a dynamic and fragmented Don Quixote...
Marble, Bronze
$6,200
H 21.5 in W 12 in D 6.5 in
Mexican Art Abstract Brutalist Gilt Steel Geometric Sculpture Mathias Goeritz
By Mathias Goeritz
Located in Surfside, FL
Mathias Goeritz (German Mexican, 1915-1990) Geometric Torch-cut Steel or Iron Sculpture with gold leaf gilding. Welded signature, MG. This came from an estate and is signed with his ...
Iron, Gold Leaf, Steel
$1,157Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.93 in W 12.41 in D 0.6 in
Mid Century Sgraffito, Saltimbanque and the Card Player, Circle of Picasso.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid 20th Century sgraffito work on plaster by Jean Pierre de Cayeux. The work is signed and dated on the skirt of the card player, bottom right, and on the stretcher of the chair, bo...
Enamel
$7,593
H 19.69 in W 8.27 in D 11.82 in
Lotte- 21st Century Bronze Sculpture of a sitting Young Girl
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Lotte 50 x 21 x 30 cm Bronze The theme van der Kraan likes most is to show the growing of young girls. Living in their own world. Like this girl watching ...
Bronze
Past Lives
Located in BARCELONA, ES
According to reincarnation theory, there are lives previously lived in different bodies. Some people say they have memories of their past lives. May be one of the reason that you fee...
Marble, Bronze, Wire
$481
H 15.75 in W 7.88 in D 4.34 in
Contemporary Ceramic Figurative Sculpture Expressive Male Figure Gold Accent
By Óscar Aldonza Torres
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Contemporary ceramic figurative sculpture featuring an expressive vertical male figure with gold accents and performative presence. This hand built ceramic sculpture belongs to the ...
Gold Leaf
$2,200
H 12 in W 9 in D 7 in
Surf 014 - Original Mixed Media Figurative Rock Sculpture For Table or Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kevin Perrault’s sculptural work exists at the intersection of permanence and play, blending monumentality with quiet intimacy. Working primarily in copper and stone, his figurative ...
Stone, Copper
$3,616
H 33.86 in W 18.51 in D 13.39 in
Expressive Abstract Figurative Ceramic and Iron Sculptural Bust Learner Three
By Óscar Aldonza Torres
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Expressive ceramic bust with forged-iron structure exploring the idea of lifelong learning through a fragile yet resilient human figure. This sculptural bust combines ceramic head an...
Iron
$880Sale Price|66% Off
H 17.5 in W 6.75 in D 11.5 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd "THE HORN PLAYER" Sculpture from Huichol ALTERATIONS
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
THE HORN PLAYER!!!!!! ALTERATION ART . . . is a collaboration process between CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd, fine artist and art dealer with over 40 years experience, and various Mexican ...
Glass, Mixed Media
Reloj Astrologico (rare signed bronze sculpture)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Incised Pedro Friedberg on the base. Incised PA (artist proof) on the base. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All re...
Bronze
Handchair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
This piece is one of the most emblematic and well none pieces of the artist. The design of this piece is 1962, it was inicially a joke with another artist and was either recognise by...
Ceramic, Linen, Oil
Sold
H 5.75 in W 10 in D 5.75 in
BANCA ZIGURATICA NINIVESCA DE 3 PLAZAS (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Wood sculpture with gold color trim. Hand signed and numbered on the underside by the artist. From the edition of 4. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Pedro Friedeberg is a contemporary Mexican artist...
Wood
FRUTERO TRIPIE (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand painted wood sculpture. Hand signed on the underside by the artist. Edition of 2. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable ...
Wood
SILLA DE GOBERNATE CUADRO (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Wood sculpture with gold color trim. Hand signed and numbered on the underside by the artist. PA (artist proof) edition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in e...
Wood
SILLA DE REGLA TRIANGULO (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Wood sculpture with gold color trim. Hand signed and numbered on the underside by the artist. PA (artist proof) edition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Pedro Friedeberg is a contemporary Mexican artist...
Wood
SILLA DE PIE Y MANO (LARGE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Carved wood sculpture. Engraved artist signature on the underside. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please do not hesitate to ask us any further questions. All reasonable ...
Wood
SILLA POLICROMADA (SCULPTURE)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Engraved artist signature and edition on the underside. From the edition of 8. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please do not hesitate to ask us any fu...
Bronze
Hands (surrealist Mexican artist sculpture)
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
PEDRO FRIEDEBERG (b. 1937): HANDS Three wood with gold paint, two signed 'Pedro Freideberg' on the bottom, one signed with initials 'PF' on a label on the bottom. Moon 8 1/2 x 2 x 1 in., Middle Finger 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. and 5 1/2 x 2 x 1 in. Biography: Friedeberg was born in Florence, Italy, on January 11, 1936, the son of German-Jewish parents, Friedeberg arrived in Mexico at the age of three. Having shown an early inclination for drawing and reading, he studied architecture at the Universidad Iberoamericana, where he was profoundly influenced by the teaching of Mathias Goeritz, a German-Mexican artist...
Wood