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 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...
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair. 1980s. Signed.
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair. Beautiful mix of hand painted colors. Some wear around the edges and light scratches, but no distractions. Great example.
Wood, Giltwood
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...
Wood
Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
An iconic early 2000's Mexican wood hand - chair by Pedro Friedeberg. The hand - chair is an example of the artist's creativity and a highlight of Mexican art and design. The hand is...
Wood
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.
Gold Leaf
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...
Mahogany
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...
Gold Leaf
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.
Wood
Butterfly Dining Chair, Pink Boucle, Europe
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark wenge stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful boucle italian fabric (color number 03). This chair can be customi...
Fabric, Beech
Colo Lounge Chair by Pedro Ávila
Located in São Paulo, BR
The pi collection results from several sculptural essays with spherical volumes as their starting point, exploring possible variations from this initial form. These exercises were in...
Fiberglass, Paint
Wood and Cognac Leather "Spanish Chairs", Europe, 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of chairs might seem bold and rugged at first glance, however, at closer inspection, it is clear that the design is very well-thought-out; the lines are precisely sculpted,...
Leather, Wood
Carved Hand Chair in the Style of Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in North York, ON
Step into the surreal with this remarkable hand chair, a sculptural masterpiece that echoes the iconic style of Pedro Friedeberg. Carved from rich walnut, this unique seating transfo...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Long Walnut Bench Coffee Table by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut long bench two tear coffee table.
Walnut
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Birch & Black Iron Bench / Coffee Table
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Light Wood Slat Bench / Table with Black Frame, Circa 1970's. Featuring an open rectangular form with Birch slats atop a geometric black enameled Iron framewo...
Iron
$8,100
H 16.25 in W 48 in D 14 in
Tessa Bench, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tessa bench Antiqued copper Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief o...
Copper
$3,520Sale Price|57% Off
H 31.25 in W 14 in D 16 in
Mexican Carved Hand Chair in the Style of Pedro Friedeberg, circa 1960
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Camden, ME
A finely detailed studio carved cocobolo hand chair crafted in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico, circa 1960. The Studio carved hand has an incised love line and life line. The artist ha...
Cocobolo
$935 / item
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 16.54 in
Mid Century Hand Tufting Chair, Blue Wood, Rajmund Halas, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Chair designed by Prof. Rajmund Halas. Made of beechwood. Chair is after a complete upholstery renovation, the woodwork has been refreshed. Seat is hand tufting multicolor wool. Ab...
Velvet, Beech
Pedro Friedeberg Gold Leaf Dining/Center Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Pedro Friedeberg Gold Leaf Table An earlier well carved example Signed under foot Provenance:Bonhams 1/9/24 Surrealistic Treasures: The Urban S.Hirsch iii Collection Lot 570
Wood
$21,600Sale Price|25% Off
H 15 in W 59 in D 24 in
Sergio Rodrigues Eleh Jacaronda Coffee Table or Bench, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Rodrigues Eleh Jacaronda coffee table or bench, Brazil, 1965. "Eleh" model from the "Arcos" series, Made by Oca, Brazil, 1965. Jacaranda (Brazili...
Jacaranda
Pedro Friedeberg Gilt Hand Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Houston, TX
Pedro Friedeberg Gilt Hand Table composed of gilt wood and glass. It features sculptured feet, arms, and hands. The hands clutch the glass top.
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 36 in W 22 in D 21.5 in
Pair Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs. Rare Right and Left. Mahogany. 1970s.
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare pair of Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs. Left and right. These are a married pair. Originally purchased together in the 1970s. Beautiful condition with very few sign of use.
Mahogany
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...
Gold Leaf
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...
Mahogany
Pedro Friedeberg, Silver-Gilt Hand Chair, Mexico, 1960’s Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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...
Silver Leaf
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
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.
Walnut
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.
Wood
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
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.
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...
Silver Leaf
Sold
H 35.5 in W 20.5 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...
Mahogany
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...
Walnut