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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
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...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

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

Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair, 1960s

$53,228
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...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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

Surrealism Sculptural Hand Table Pedro Friedeberg

$28,000
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.
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Post-Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Signed Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair an Exceptional Example
Signed Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair an Exceptional Example

Signed Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair an Exceptional Example

$19,850
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.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Mano Mariposa Chair
Pedro Friedeberg Mano Mariposa Chair

Pedro Friedeberg Mano Mariposa Chair

$16,000
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...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

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

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

$39,500
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...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Wood

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

$35,000 / item
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Previously Available Items
Pedro Friedeberg 1970's Gold Leaf and Mahogany Hand - Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
An iconic 1970's carved mahogany wood with gold leaf Hand - Chair by Italian - born Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The piece is a rare finding suitable for collectors of Mexican ar...
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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Gold Leaf

Pedro Friedeberg 1970's Gold Leaf and Mahogany Hand - Chair
Pedro Friedeberg 1970's Gold Leaf and Mahogany Hand - Chair

Pedro Friedeberg 1970's Gold Leaf and Mahogany Hand - Chair

H 36.23 in W 22.45 in D 22.84 in
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair Mexico City Hand carved mahogany wood Signed 34.5 h x 17.5 w x 20 d x Seat 17 h Preowned unrestored original vinta...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair

1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair

H 34.5 in W 17.5 in D 20 in
Pedro Friedeberg, Silver-Gilt Hand Chair, Mexico, 1960’s Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
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Pedro Friedeberg Silver-Gilt Hand Chair. Circa 1960s Mexico, This chair is an early example of the iconic “hand” chair designed and made by Pedro Friedeberg. The chair is hand-carved...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Silver Leaf

Pedro Friedeberg, Silver-Gilt Hand Chair, Mexico, 1960’s Signed
Pedro Friedeberg, Silver-Gilt Hand Chair, Mexico, 1960’s Signed

Pedro Friedeberg, Silver-Gilt Hand Chair, Mexico, 1960’s Signed

H 36 in W 18 in D 21 in
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...
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Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair in Solid Honduran Mahogany 1960s Signed
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair in Solid Honduran Mahogany 1960s Signed

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair in Solid Honduran Mahogany 1960s Signed

H 34.5 in W 19.5 in D 21 in
Pair Hand Chairs by Pedro Friedeberg, Solid Walnut, 1960's, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of original Pedro Friedeberg solid walnut hand chairs. Original condition with age appropriate signs of wear. Beautiful patina. Refinishing these would be a crime. Signed.
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

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Pair Hand Chairs by Pedro Friedeberg, Solid Walnut, 1960's, Signed
Pair Hand Chairs by Pedro Friedeberg, Solid Walnut, 1960's, Signed

Pair Hand Chairs by Pedro Friedeberg, Solid Walnut, 1960's, Signed

H 35.5 in W 19 in D 19.5 in
Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Signed and dated 1967 An early example incorporating hand painting and poetry.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair
Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair

Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair

H 30 in W 18 in D 18 in
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...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs

H 34.25 in W 17.5 in D 19 in
Hand Chair by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Iconic light walnut hand chair from Mexican designer Pedro Friedeberg. Signed and in very good original condition.    
Category

Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Hand Chair by Pedro Friedeberg
Hand Chair by Pedro Friedeberg

Hand Chair by Pedro Friedeberg

H 36 in W 18 in D 20 in
Pedro Friedeberg Silver Leaf Hand Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Dallas, TX
The best example of a Pedro Friedeberg hand chair that we have seen. The original silver leaf has a wonderful patina with the red lacquered base coat showing through. Signed to under...
Category

1960s Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Silver Leaf

Pedro Friedeberg Silver Leaf Hand Chair
Pedro Friedeberg Silver Leaf Hand Chair

Pedro Friedeberg Silver Leaf Hand Chair

H 36.5 in W 18.5 in D 22 in
Pedro Friedeberg Mahogany Wood Hand Chair Surrealist Mid-century Modern
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
We are pleased to offer for your consideration, a hand chair by Pedro Friedeberg in mahogany wood. Signed on the bottom with black ink. Welcome to the art world of surrealism. Livin...
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1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

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Pedro Friedeberg Mahogany Wood Hand Chair Surrealist Mid-century Modern
Pedro Friedeberg Mahogany Wood Hand Chair Surrealist Mid-century Modern

Pedro Friedeberg Mahogany Wood Hand Chair Surrealist Mid-century Modern

H 35.5 in W 20.5 in D 22 in
Pair of Hand and Foot Coffee Tables or Stools by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Pawtucket, RI
A rare pair of hand and foot tables or stools designed and made by Mexican Surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg in his iconic hand and leg motifs. Made of laminated and blocked mahogan...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Walnut

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

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

H 18 in W 33 in D 19.5 in
Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fascinating sculptural hand chair constructed from handcrafted hardwood with an organic natural finish. Made after the iconic chair by Pedro Friedeburg (Mexican b. 1936). Features de...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Seating

Materials

Wood

Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg
Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg

Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg

H 35 in W 22 in D 21 in

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.

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