Skip to main content

Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

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.

to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
1
1
1
74
44
36
19
18
Creator: Pedro Friedeberg
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Four Arm Candelabra
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Four Arm Candelabra

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...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Gold

Related Items
Swedish 1960s Steel Hearts Candelabra
Swedish 1960s Steel Hearts Candelabra

Swedish 1960s Steel Hearts Candelabra

$750

H 15.8 in W 12.6 in D 5 in

Swedish 1960s Steel Hearts Candelabra

Located in New York, NY

Midcentury Swedish hand-wrought steel candelabra with four candleholders. 18 cut steel hearts adorn frame. Signed with stamp, Made in Sweden.    

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Steel

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Sculpture
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Sculpture

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Sculpture

$2,800

H 4 in W 2.75 in D 3 in

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 Candelabras

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Clock
Pedro Friedeberg Clock

Pedro Friedeberg Clock

$18,500

H 22 in W 16 in D 6.5 in

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 Candelabras

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Egyptian Cat Clock
Pedro Friedeberg Egyptian Cat Clock

Pedro Friedeberg Egyptian Cat Clock

$25,000

H 12 in W 7.25 in D 3.25 in

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 Candelabras

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Crocodile Bronze Sculpture
Pedro Friedeberg Crocodile Bronze Sculpture

Pedro Friedeberg Crocodile Bronze Sculpture

$4,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 2.76 in W 3.94 in D 7.49 in

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...

Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Bronze

Pedro Friedeberg Minotaur Sculpture
Pedro Friedeberg Minotaur Sculpture

Pedro Friedeberg Minotaur Sculpture

$8,900

H 23 in W 10.5 in D 13 in

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 Candelabras

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Silver Gilt Vintage Hand Clock
Pedro Friedeberg Silver Gilt Vintage Hand Clock

Pedro Friedeberg Silver Gilt Vintage Hand Clock

$16,500

H 17 in W 11.25 in D 7.5 in

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 Candelabras

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg
Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg

Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg

$17,950

H 44 in W 16 in D 16 in

Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in NYC, NY

A unique, hand-carved wood chair in the shape of a cupped hand with detailing down to the wrinkles and fingernails. The base whimsically detailed as a shirt cuff with buttons. Solid....

Category

1950s French Folk Art Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Zebra Bronze Sculpture
Pedro Friedeberg Zebra Bronze Sculpture

Pedro Friedeberg Zebra Bronze Sculpture

$4,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 25 in W 20 in D 15 in

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...

Category

2010s Mexican Post-Modern Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Bronze

Pedro Friedeberg Dog Table Sculpture
Pedro Friedeberg Dog Table Sculpture

Pedro Friedeberg Dog Table Sculpture

$9,150

H 14 in W 9 in D 9.5 in

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 Candelabras

Materials

Wood

19th Century French, Gilded 5-Arm Cherub Candelabra
19th Century French, Gilded 5-Arm Cherub Candelabra

19th Century French, Gilded 5-Arm Cherub Candelabra

Located in Worcester Park, GB

This is an ornate French candelabrum from the 1910s, designed to hold five candles. Origin & Era: French, circa 1910. Material: Made of brass or a similar gilt metal, with a ...

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Brass

Pedro Friedeberg Philosopher's Stone Gilded And Multicolor Resin Sculpture
Pedro Friedeberg Philosopher's Stone Gilded And Multicolor Resin Sculpture

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...

Category

2010s Mexican Post-Modern Pedro Friedeberg Candelabras

Materials

Resin

Pedro Friedeberg candelabras for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg candelabras 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 candelabras, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original candelabras by Pedro Friedeberg were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 1960s. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg candelabras can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $8,500 and can go as high as $8,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.