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 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
$8,000
H 21 in W 10.5 in D 11.25 in
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
$18,000
H 25.5 in W 20.5 in D 8 in
French Figural Cherub Gilt Bronze & Marble Candelabra Clock Set, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French figural cherub gilt bronze and marble three piece clock set flanked by gilt bronze marble sphere six light candelabras, central clock fla...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Clock Man, Wind-Up Clock with Key, Spelter, Hand-Painted
Located in Verviers, BE
Clock Man - Wind-up clock with key - Spelter, hand-painted We prefer to sell our items in 'uncleaned' condition so that the new owner still has the choice to remove the patina (si...
Spelter
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
$5,750
H 13.25 in W 20.75 in D 10.5 in
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
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
Important Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Large and Important Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze, French Champlevé Enamel and Wood Mantle Clock The top figure is of Nike of Samothrace...
Bronze, Enamel
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
$4,850
H 10.5 in W 14 in D 22.5 in
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 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
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
$1,500
H 5.5 in W 19 in D 13.5 in
Pedro Friedeberg Style Wood Hand Sculpture, Large Table Ornament. Vintage
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Based on his world re known piece the "Hand Chair", this large artistic hand sculpture also highlights the palm and fingers. Rich and detailed with great patina, this piece is in ver...
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Surrealistic Sculptural Ceramic Mantel Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A surrealistic sculptural clock made in ceramic by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The clock's ceramic body has a marble finish. The clock's mechanism is a regular quartz movement f...
Ceramic