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Pedro Friedeberg Chairs

Mexican, 1936-2026

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.

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Creator: Pedro Friedeberg
Pair Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs. Rare Right and Left. Mahogany. 1970s.
Pair Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs. Rare Right and Left. Mahogany. 1970s.

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.

Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

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...

Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair. 1980s. Signed.
Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair. 1980s. Signed.

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.

Category

1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Chairs

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

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...

Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Chairs

Materials

Wood

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

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 Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

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Hand Chair by Pedro Friedeberg

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Pedro Friedeberg Silver Leaf Hand Chair

Pedro Friedeberg Silver Leaf Hand Chair

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H 36.5 in W 18.5 in D 22 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

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Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg

Carved Hardwood Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeburg

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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...

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Pedro Friedeberg Hand Foot Chair, Original Gold Leaf Finish, Signed, 1960s

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Foot Chair, Original Gold Leaf Finish, Signed, 1960s

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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.

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Rare original hand chair by Pedro Friedeberg "Baphomet's Chair", circa 2017. Signed and dated by artist Hand carved walnut wood.  

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Pedro Friedeberg chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs 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 chairs by Don S. Shoemaker, and Michael van Beuren. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $19,850 and can go as high as $50,244, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $28,500.