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Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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.

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Creator: Pedro Friedeberg
Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair, 1960s
Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair, 1960s

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...

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Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Mahogany

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair Mexican Modernism
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair Mexican Modernism

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...

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Early 2000s Mexican Organic Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Surrealism Sculptural Hand Table Pedro Friedeberg
Surrealism Sculptural Hand Table Pedro Friedeberg

Surrealism Sculptural Hand Table Pedro Friedeberg

By Pedro Friedeberg

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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...

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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Pedro Friedeberg Mano Mariposa Chair
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Pedro Friedeberg Mano Mariposa Chair

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An early example of an iconic butterfly form.Beautifully hand painted and signed by the artist. A copy of the original receipt and correspondence.

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1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Pedro Friedeberg 1973 Wood Butterfly Chair From the Villa Arabesque In Acapulco
Pedro Friedeberg 1973 Wood Butterfly Chair From the Villa Arabesque In Acapulco

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...

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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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One of a Kind Pedro Friedeberg Hands and Ties Chair Gold Leaf
One of a Kind Pedro Friedeberg Hands and Ties Chair Gold Leaf

One of a Kind Pedro Friedeberg Hands and Ties Chair Gold Leaf

By Pedro Friedeberg

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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...

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2010s Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Gold Leaf

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Pair of Hand and Foot Coffee Tables or Stools by Pedro Friedeberg

Pair of Hand and Foot Coffee Tables or Stools by Pedro Friedeberg

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Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg

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Pedro Friedeberg seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Pedro Friedeberg were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Mario Lopez Torres, Clara Porset, and Arturo Pani. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $16,000 and can go as high as $50,244, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $28,250.