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Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Mexican, b. 1936

The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg works in a richly detailed, Surrealist and eccentric artistic style that blends influences from neoclassical art, M.C. Escher and native Mesoamerican symbolism. He is 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
Pedro Friedeberg Moon Face with Hands Table Top Sculpture, 1970s, Signed.
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Moon Face / Half Moon Table top Sculpture. Walnut and wood with gold leaf. Very good condition. Few if any signs of handling. Signed to the back "Pedro Friedebe...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

Pedro Friedeberg Untitled (Hand Truck) Table Top Sculpture. Mexico, 1978, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Surrealist sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. This piece was created in 1978 featuring carved and gold leaf hands, carved walnut birds, carved wood hands, and brass elements attached to the lacquered wood truck...
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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Four Arm Candelabra
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Carved Gilded Stem Candelabra Mexico Four Stem candle holders for Candle .75 24 h x 12 x 12 Signed Original preowned vin...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

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...
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Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Mahogany

1960s Pedro Friedeberg Hand Moon Mahogany Wood Art Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg hand Moon Mahogany wood art sculpture Signed piece Measures: 11.88 tall x 2 depth x 3.5 width Preowned original vintage unrestored condition. See our image...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Mahogany

1960s Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand Foot Chair Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Pedro Friedeberg hand foot miniature chair sculpture. Preowned original vintage unrestored condition. Signs of wear present. Measures: 4.38 tall x 3.5 deep x 2.5 wide. See o...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

2007 Pedro Friedberg Art Mexican Modernist Silk Screened Wood Tequila Box
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in San Diego, CA
Awesome wood tequila box featuring Pedro Friedberg art on every surface. Made to hold Jose Cuervo Tequila Reserva De La Familia, 2007. Very limited editi...
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21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

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...
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1970s Mexican Post-Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pedro Friedeberg, Exceptional Surrealist Carved Clock, Gilt Wood, Mexico 1970s
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in New York, NY
Pedro Friedeberg (b. 1937) An exceptional, dreamlike Astroclock sculpture by Mexican Surrealist master Pedro Friedeberg, in carved and gold-leafed mahogany enriched by striking pain...
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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pedro Friedeberg Minotaur Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example of Pedro Friedeberg's Magic-Surrealist Oeuvre. An Image of the sculpture has been submitted to, and accepted by Mr. Friedeberg for their upcoming Catalog of Works.
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1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Crocodile Bronze Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
Crocodile wearing black heels. Bronze sculpture. Numbered IX / X. Signed by Pedro Friedeberg, Limited 10-pieces edition. Certificate included. Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist...
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2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pedro Friedeberg Sculpture Closed Hands
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example signed at the bottoma.   
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Dallas, TX
A Wonderful and Miniature Hand Sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg (b. 1936) Of Silver Leaf over Carved Wood. Signed On The Bottom.
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Silver Gilt Vintage Hand Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Westport, CT
Pedro Friedeberg handcrafted silver leaf hand clock, vintage early 1960s, with original label from dated service inside, 1969.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Pedro Friedeberg Dog Table Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Open armed Friedeberg dog sculpture An early example of whimsical surrealism. Signed on base.
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1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful gold-leafed variation of this form. Signed under the foot.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Surrealistic Sculptural Clock by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
An iconic carved sculptural clock by the famed Mexican surrealistic artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, b. 1937) circa 1960s. The whimsical...
Category

1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Unique Sculpture by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very unique sculpture entitled "Mr. Architekt" by surrealist Mexican artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (b. 1937). Circa 1960s, this sculpture was made from carved and painted wood, found objects such as rules and combs, and antique santo...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Gilded Candelabrum and Chandelier
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare early work consists of hand-carved and gilded five stem candelabrum in the form of surrealistically joined hands and feet. Can be hung via the moon stem or used on the table. Si...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

Pedro Friedeberg Egyptian Cat Clock
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in NYC, NY
A very unusual table clock designed by Pedro Friedeberg featuring a wooden black Egyptian cat with the clock on its torso. The clock is also made of wood,...
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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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Previously Available Items
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2010s Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

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Pedro Friedeberg with Ceramic Table Clock
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2010s Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

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Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand, Chair Wood Sculpture
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A rare 1970's miniature carved wood "hand-chair" sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The sculpture has a cracked glossy finish. Signed on the base. Pedro Friedeberg is a M...
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1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

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Pedro Friedeberg Miniature Hand Chair Sculpture
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Large Pedro Friedeburg Silver Leaf Hand Foot Sculpture with COA, Signed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible hand foot sculpture by Pedro Friedeburg (signed underneath) includes a certificate of authenticity by LOS CONTEMPORÁNEOS, more details below about this significant hi...
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20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

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Ceramic

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...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Decorative Objects

Materials

Mahogany

Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs
Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chairs
H 34.25 in W 17.5 in D 19 in
Rare Large Pedro Friedeberg Floor Standing Sculpture
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A one of a kind 48" tall floor sculpture with gold gilt by surrealist artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg. Signed on the of the foot.
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Pedro Friedeberg Wood/Gold Leaf Sculpture, Fist and Moon, Signed
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Pedro Friedeberg Surrealistic Sculptural Ceramic Mantel Clock
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A surrealistic sculptural clock made in ceramic by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The clock's ceramic body has a marble finish. The clock's mechanism is a regular quartz movement f...
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Pedro Friedeberg decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects 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 decorative objects by Victor Salmones, Pal Kepenyes, and Sergio Bustamante. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $325 and can go as high as $29,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,150.

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