Ultra Rare & Early Sculpture: "Relox Kokodrilo" by Pedro Friedeberg. Mexico, 1965
View Similar Items
Ultra Rare & Early Sculpture: "Relox Kokodrilo" by Pedro Friedeberg. Mexico, 1965
About the Item
- Creator:Pedro Friedeberg (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)Width: 17.13 in (43.5 cm)Depth: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97175467873
Pedro Friedeberg
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.
- Two-Tiered Cupped Hands Table, in the Manner of Pedro FriedebergBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in West Palm Beach, FLTwo-tiered cupped hands table, in the manner of Pedro Friedeberg Well carved of hardwood, the 24.5-Inch diameter top resting on the fingertips of two ha...Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsHardwood
$4,240 Sale Price28% Off - Ultra Rare Mid-Century “Tilting Wing” Piano by Nico Rippen for LindnerBy Nico Rippen, Lindner PianosLocated in Pemberton, NJRippen Pianos of the Netherlands were well respected for their high-quality instruments of unique designs and materials. Nico Rippen designed this folding...Category
Vintage 1960s Irish Mid-Century Modern Music Stands
MaterialsMetal
- Early Mexican Tex-Coco PillowsLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis fine Mexican Indian weaving pillow is in fine condition with black cotton linen backings. The inserts are down and feather fill.Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Pillows and Throws
MaterialsWool, Linen
$695 Sale Price22% Off - Gino Cenedese Ultra Rare Murano Glass Chess Set 1960sBy Gino Cenedese, CenedeseLocated in Tilburg, NLGino Cenedese Ultra Rare Murano Glass Chess Set, Venice, Italy, 1960s. This is a highly rare Murano glass chess set by Gino Cenedese - one of the famo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Games
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Early Mexican Indian Weaving PillowsLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis early Mexican / American Indian weaving pillows are in great condition and have brown linen backings. The pattern is geometric with feather design borders. The inserts are down ...Category
Early 20th Century American Pillows and Throws
$775 Sale Price / set38% Off - Early 20Thc Mexican Indian Weaving Pillows-Collection 4Located in Los Angeles, CACollection of four Mexican Indian striped weaving pillows. Selling as a group of four.Down & feather fill. The backings are in black linen fabric.Category
Vintage 1930s American Adirondack Pillows and Throws
MaterialsWool