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 Snake Bar / Server / Table / Candle Holder / Sculpture, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Snake bar, Mexico, c. 1970s. Made of carved and gilt wood, antique statuary, and glass. The stretched out hands hold the round removable glass tray and the upper han...
Glass, Wood
Mastercraft Mid Century Brass and Burled Elm Dry Bar Server
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mastercraft Mid Century Brass and Burled Elm Dry Bar Server This dry bar measures: 40 wide x 19.25 deep x 33 high, when extended the width is 59.75 inches We take our photos in a c...
Brass
Arthur Umanoff Cocktail Dry Bar or Server for Raymor
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury Arthur Umanoff bar for Raymor. Wrought iron base, oak slats, rush and Formica top. Overall nice original condition, oak restored, wrought iron base repainted, top in very ...
Wrought Iron
$4,850
H 34 in W 36 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Dry Bar or Server
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Hard to find Paul McCobb dry bar or server for his Connoisseur collection by H. Saks & Sons. To be refinished, custom color available, rounded pulls to be re-plated brass. Top lifts ...
Mahogany
$3,509
H 42.25 in W 34 in D 23 in
John Risley Black Iron Horse Bar Cart with Bottle Holders and Removable Tray
By John Risley
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
John Hollister Risley (1919-2002) black wrought iron bar cart in the design of a horse, complete with two removable bottle holders on each side and a removable glass tray on casters, circa 1955. The "horse bar cart...
Steel
$4,797Sale Price|40% Off
H 46 in W 29 in D 14.5 in
French Art Deco burr walnut cocktail cabinet / Dry Bar Server France 1930’s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is an 1930’s Art Deco burr walnut cocktail cabinet / Dry Bar Server. The exterior showcases richly figured burr walnut, while the hinged upper section opens to reveal a beautif...
Walnut, Burl
Art Deco Towel Holder Bars, Nickel Brass Glass, 1930s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
An Art Deco towel holder with two bars made of nickel plated brass and glass rods, manufactured circa 1930. There are two screws to mount the item on a board or table. Nice patina on...
Brass, Nickel
$5,397Sale Price|40% Off
H 44.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
1930’s Art Deco Fluted Burr Walnut Cocktail Bar Server
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co, Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning original 1930s Art Deco bar cabinet with a classic stepped, two-tier design. An English fluted burr walnut sideboard dating from the 1930s, featuring a central pop-out cock...
Walnut
Server Bar by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A multifunctional walnut bar cart on casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar– Model 5433. The cabinet has two cedar shelves which can be adjusted up or down. One drawer above the cabine...
Art Deco Towel Holder Bars, Nickel Brass Glass, 1930s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
An Art Deco towel holder with two bars made of nickel plated brass and glass rods, manufactured, circa 1930. There are two screws to mount the item on a board or table. Nice patina ...
Brass, Nickel
$2,200
H 34.25 in W 34.25 in D 19.25 in
Henkel Harris American Colonial Cherry Wood Server or Bar Cabinet, Restored
By Henkel Harris
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous American Colonial or Chippendale style buffet server or bar cabinet By Henkel Harris USA, circa 1960s Solid wild black cherry wood, with original brass hardware. ...
Brass
Mid Century John Stuart Buffet Server / Bar Cart. Circa 1960s.
By John Stuart
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid Century John Stuart Buffet Server / Bar Cart. Circa 1960s. Features a quintessential sleek Mid Century Modern Design, two side cabinets, a top drawer, a expandable white...
Formica, Wood
$4,033 / set
H 23.43 in Dm 19.49 in
Pair of Antique Carved Side Table Sized Barrels Made into Bars / Drinks Holders
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare and collectable pair of side table sized hand carved barrels which open up to reveal inside bars These are a very collectable pair of ...
Oak