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 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
Rapture Chair
By Scarlet Splendour
Located in Kolkata, IN
Rapture Chair in Brass by Scarlet Splendour is a beautiful chair which will add a sparkle to any interior space. The Fools' Gold collection of amorphous forms, cast in brass, is a t...
Brass
Lucite Z Chair
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Highland, IN
This classic lucite Z chair is a great occasional piece in very good original condition. The transparent quality and minimal form allow it to work in an...
Acrylic, Lucite
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
Panton Chair
By Verner Panton
Located in Highland, IN
The Panton chair is an important icon of modern design and has a fascinating history as Verner Panton experimented with a variety of materials to best realize the design. The most co...
Paint, Foam
Tavit Chair
Located in London, GB
Design by Florence Louisy Tavit, a collection of bronze pieces, is the result of such a journey among metal workshops in Mumbai, which challenges the limits and capabilities of meta...
Bronze
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
$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
$59,500 / set
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
$15,750
H 41 in W 24 in D 26 in
Midcentury Mexican Hand Chair in Carved Pine, Style of Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural and playful, this midcentury Mexican hand chair offers a bold, artistic presence with practical seating comfort. Carved from solid pine, the chair is shaped in the form of...
Pine
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 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
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
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
Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg butterfly chair, 1983, Mexico City. Hand-painted with appropriated ornaments. Signed.
Wood