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 Gold Leaf Dining/Center Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Pedro Friedeberg Gold Leaf Table An earlier well carved example Signed under foot
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Gilt Hand Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Houston, TX
Pedro Friedeberg Gilt Hand Table composed of gilt wood and glass. It features sculptured feet, arms, and hands. The hands clutch the glass top.
Glass, Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Foot Side Table. Gold Leaf, Round Glass Top. Signed.
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg round Hand Foot side / end / occasional table, Mexico City, 1970s. Signed. Beautiful gold leafed wood frame with the original glass top. Very goo...
Gold Leaf
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...
Mahogany
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...
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair Mexican Modernism
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an iconic hand chair by Pedro Friedeberg. Mexican modernism. Signed underneath. Dimensions: 37.5" H x 22.5" D x 22.5" W, Seat 18" H Delivery within 200 mi...
Wood
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...
Gold Leaf
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...
Brass
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.
Gold Leaf
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.
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg “El Vuelo De Mozart” Silkscreen Art Unframed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pedro Friedeberg original silkscreen "El vuelo de Mozart”. Signed by the artist. Edition of 30. Includes signature Pedro Friedeberg. The price does not include the frame for a cheape...
Cotton
Rare Iconic Surrealism Hand and Foot Sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
An iconic hand-foot wood sculpture by celebrated Mexican American surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg (1936-), circa 1960s. The tabletop model is of rare rendition in large size showc...
Wood
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...
Mahogany
$18,500
Pedro Friedeberg Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful gold-leafed variation of this form. Signed under the foot.
Wood
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.
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.
Acrylic
1980s Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand Foot Chair Sculpture Latin American
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1980s Pedro Friedeberg hand foot miniature chair sculpture. Preowned original vintage unrestored condition. Latin American surrealist art. Dimensions:4.38...
Wood
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...
Paper
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...
Walnut, Giltwood
Pedro Friedeberg 1973 Wood Butterfly Chair From the Villa Arabesque In Acapulco
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A one-of-a-kind Louis XV style carved wood with gold leaf details butterfly chair by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The chair is upholstered with a butterfly stamped fabric. The ch...
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.
Wood
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...
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.
Mahogany
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...
Glass, Wood
$28,000
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...
Wood
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.
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...
Gold Leaf
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,...
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-...
Paint
Pedro Friedeberg Philosopher's Stone Gilded And Multicolor Resin Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 21st Century multicolor and golden resin sculpture "Philosopher's Stone" sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The sculpture is signed by the artist on one of the foot's so...
Resin
Rare Joined Hand and Foot Surrealism Sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hand-foot wood sculpture by celebrated Mexican American surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg (1936-), circa 1960s. The tabletop model is scarce in two aspects: Firstly, the form of t...
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg "Communist Lions By Day" Limited Edition Engraving
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
"Leones Comunistas de Día" (Communist Monkeys By Day). Engraving print by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. Copperplate engraving on Hahnemühle 300 g. 100% cotton paper. Edition of 86...
Paper
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.
Enamel, Silver
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...
Wood
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pedro Friedeberg Crocodile Bronze Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
Black crocodile wearing golden heels by Italian - born Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The sculpture is series 6 / 10. Signed PEDRO FRIEDEBERG under the body, Limited 10-pieces edit...
Bronze
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
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 a...
Bronze
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Four Arm Candelabra
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Stem Candelabra Mexico circa the 1960s . Four Stem candle holders. Signed. Unique piece...
Gold
Pedro Friedeberg - Limited Edition Artist Hand-knotted Wool and Silk Rug 6' x 4'
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Miami, FL
Pedro Friedeberg is a legendary Mexican artist known for his fantastical, surrealist creations that blend architecture, design, and intricate patterns. His most iconic work, the Hand...
Wool, Silk
Pedro Friedeberg Sculpture Closed Hands
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example signed at the bottoma.
Wood
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...
Paper
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pedro Friedeberg Zebra Bronze Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A zebra bronze sculpture by Italian-born Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The zebra's series is 6 / 10 and has a dark patina finish. It is signed on the leg. The sculpture is mounted...
Bronze
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Paper