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.
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 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
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
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...
Wood
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
$655Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
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
Italian Chairs - 1980s - Set of 4
By Mario Sabot
Located in Milano, IT
This set, consisting of 4 chairs, attributed to the production of the Sabot company, recently reupholstered in brown Alcantara, are made of gilded metal tubulars with a square cross-...
Metal
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.
Wood
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
Rare Sculptural Chairs in Mohair, Italy, 1970s / 80s
By Olivier Mourgue, Joe Colombo, Eero Saarinen, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A superb pair of curved scultptural lounge chairs, Italian, 1970s/80s. Newly upholstered in a premium ivory 100% mohair fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Wood, Mohair
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 27 in D 21 in
1970s Vintage Mid Century Modern Hand Lounge Chair, in White-- One Piece
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Madison, WI
Excellent Prop piece, or a Living Room, studio or office POP! This listing is for the White chair. We also have a Black chair, sold separately, pictured here. The RMIC hand chair made its first appearance around the year 1970. The spectacular chair is made of plastic and shaped like a giant hand with its palm turned upward, while the fingers serve as a backrest. Originally, the hand chair was designed in 1962 by Pedro Friedeberg, a then 24 years old surrealist artist. Friedeberg artistic sensibilities were decisively directed against everything conventional, and he was inspired by the Dadaistic practice of producing anti-art for art's sake. This White Hand Chair features the cup holder. Dimensions 27ʺW × 21ʺD × 34ʺH Seat Interior Width: 21" Seat Interior Depth: 21" Seat Height: 18" Arm Height: 20" Shipping: We ship insured and to your door, using blanket...
Plastic
$264,170
H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in
One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin
Located in London, GB
*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entire...
Upholstery, Yew
1970s Italian chair in Cowhide and Chrome - Italy, 1970s
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Country: Italy Model: Desk chair / dining chair Design period: 1970’s Date of manufacturing: circa 1970 Size WDH in cm: 51x59x81 seat height 4...
Cowhide
$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
$655Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 16.54 in
Light White Boucle Thonet Wood Rattan Chair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful rattan, boucle and wood chair. They were produced in Thonet woodworking factory and we thoroughly renovated them. The construction is m...
Velvet, Beech
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
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...
Wood
Sold
H 37 in W 20.5 in L 37 in
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Foot Chair, Original Gold Leaf Finish, Signed, 1960s
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Wonderful Pedro Friedeberg sureallist hand foot chair. Carved mahogany with gold leaf finish. Beautiful patina and honest wear. Signed to underside. A fine example.
Gold Leaf
Pedro Friedberg Hand Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare original hand chair by Pedro Friedeberg "Baphomet's Chair", circa 2017. Signed and dated by artist Hand carved walnut wood.
Walnut