The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg worked in a richly detailed, Surrealist and eccentric artistic style that blended influences from neoclassical art, M.C. Escher and native Mesoamerican symbolism. He was 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 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
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 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
$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 Sculpture Closed Hands
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example signed at the bottoma.
Wood
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 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
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
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
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
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
$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
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 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 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
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
$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
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
$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
$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
French Art Nouveau Sculpture Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
French Art Nouveau sculpture with a clock decorated with a pair of women rejoicing in the season's harvest. In great condition. Sold as is...
Marble, Pewter
Hand Carved & Hand Painted Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved & hand painted rooster sculpture. Very folky rooster.
Wood
Mocap "White/Black" Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap (white-black) Illusionistic wall clock Design: Jan Paul “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also t...
Steel
Mocap 'Moonwalk' Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap (moonwalk) Illusionistic wall clock Design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the...
Steel
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
Boyington Dog Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Boyington dog all in painted ceramic.
Ceramic
Giacometti-Style Bronze Dove Sculpture with Closed Wings
By Ilana Goor
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare bronze sculptural piece by celebrated Israeli artist and sculptor, Ilana Goor. Giacometti-style sculpture made in solid bronze with bea...
Bronze
$625
H 14.75 in W 11.5 in D 11 in
Mid 20th C. French Wicker Rattan Minotaur Bull Head Sculpture Wall Decoration
Located in Burton, TX
This Mid 20th Century Wicker Rattan Minotaur Bull Head Sculpture Wall Decoration was handcrafted by artisans in a small town in southern France in the ...
Wicker, Rattan
English Hound Dog Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
English hound dog sculpture. Beautifully modeled vintage life size cast stone seated hound on short plinth perfect for your entry or as your garden watch dog. England, 1920’s Dimen...
Cast Stone
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
Bronze Dog Sculpture
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A nice hound. Great patina and detail.
Bronze
Pedro Friedeberg Resin Hand - Bell Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A resin hand - bell sculpture by Mexican artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg. The sculpture's resin shows a mild pinkish glow on its inside. The piece is signed on base. Pedro Frie...
Resin
Pedro Friedeberg Hedgehog Heavy Bronze Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A bronze with black details hedgehog sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. Edited in the 2020's. The hedgehog is inspired by a drawing made by the artist in 1986 (image shown...
Bronze
Pedro Friedeberg Ceramic With Liquid Gold Hand - Foot Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A ceramic with 22K liquid gold hand - foot table sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The iconic sculpture is part of a small series of ceramics. Signed and numbered 07 on b...
Ceramic
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...
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair in Solid Honduran Mahogany 1960s Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Dallas, TX
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 G...
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand Chair Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in San Antonio, TX
Signed miniature hand sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg 11/120 comes with a certificate of authenticity. The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg, surrealist and eccentric artistic styl...
Resin, Polyester
Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand, Chair Wood Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare 1970's miniature carved wood "hand-chair" sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The sculpture has a cracked glossy finish. Signed on the base. Pedro Friedeberg is a M...
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand Chair Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in San Antonio, TX
Signed miniature hand sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg 11/120 comes with a certificate of authenticity. The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg, surrealist and eccentric artistic styl...
Resin, Polyester
Large Pedro Friedeburg Silver Leaf Hand Foot Sculpture with COA, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible hand foot sculpture by Pedro Friedeburg (signed underneath) includes a certificate of authenticity by LOS CONTEMPORÁNEOS, more details below about this significant hi...
Ceramic
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of Pedro Friedeberg hand chairs, circa early 1960s. These all original hand-sculpted examples are each signed and were purchased from the or...
Mahogany
Rare Large Pedro Friedeberg Floor Standing Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A one of a kind 48" tall floor sculpture with gold gilt by surrealist artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg. Signed on the of the foot.
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Wood/Gold Leaf Sculpture, Fist and Moon, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing early and traditional subject for the well known artist Pedro Friedeberg. Signed in bottom as shown.
Gold Leaf