Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Pedro Friedeberg (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.65 in (88 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 20.87 in (53 cm)Seat Height: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Water spots on seat.
- Seller Location:Uccle, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6101233422732
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Uccle, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Swedish Modern Set of 2 Armchairs, Birchwood, 1960'sBy Carl MalmstenLocated in Uccle, BEA vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish set of armchairs made of hand carved birchwood, designed by Carl Malmsten, in good condition. Restored and reupholsteredwith original . Wear cons...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Birch
- Concrete Chair Jonas Bohlin, 1980'sBy Jonas BohlinLocated in Uccle, BEIconic chair designed by Swedish designer Jonas Bohlin for Källemo. Signed by designer Provex JB. The chair was produced in 1981 and only 100 chairs were made.Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Brutalist Armchairs
MaterialsConcrete, Cut Steel
- Teve Easy Chair by Alf Svensson, 1950'sBy Alf SvenssonLocated in Uccle, BEThis pair of lounge chairs was designed in 1953 by Swedish furniture designer Alf Svensson. Manufactured by Studio Ljungs Industrier AB Malmö during the 1950s. The model is called "T...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- Mexican Modern Lounge Chair, Wood and Leather, 1960'sBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Uccle, BEThis is the Sloucher chair made in the 1960's. Leather has been restored. Made of Cocobolo Rosewood. Don S. Shoemaker (1919 - 1990) was born in Nebraska and studied at the Art Inst...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- Swedish Art Deco Axel E Hjorth Chair, Birch 1920'sBy Axel Einar HjorthLocated in Uccle, BEDimensions for this chair are H 90 x 64 x 52. Seat Height 47. The actual upholstery is 44 x 44 cm. The upholstery is original. Swedish Art Deco chair made by Axel Einar Hjorth circa...Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsBirch
- Axel Einar Hjorth Corall Set of 4 Chairs Birch and Velvet 1934By Axel Einar HjorthLocated in Uccle, BESet of 4 chairs reupholstered in Velvet. Designed during Axel Einar Hjorth's Swedish Grace period or the equivalent of Swedish Art Deco. The desing is called Corall. Made for Nordisk...Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Birch
- Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair in Solid Honduran Mahogany 1960s SignedBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Dallas, TXThis 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMahogany
- Pedro Friedeberg Style “Hand” ChairBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Doylestown, PAA nice early “Hand” chair circa 1970, after the artist Pedro Friedeberg, carved in walnut with a nice patina and details. Nice smaller scale - would make a cool desk chair for a kid.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Carved Walnut Pedro Friedeberg Style Hand ChairBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Montreal, QCCarved Walnut Pedro Friedeberg style hand chair.Category
Vintage 1980s American Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Pedro Friedeberg Phenomenal Hand Chair Black Fiberglass MexicoBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Chula Vista, CAFiberglass hand chair Phenomenal black fiberglass hand chair design Pedro Friedeberg, Mexico Unsigned. No COA available. Measures: 36 tall x 2...Category
Early 2000s Mexican Modern Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- Pedro Friedeberg 1970's Gold Leaf and Mahogany Hand - ChairBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Mexico City, MXAn iconic 1970's carved mahogany wood with gold leaf Hand - Chair by Italian - born Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The piece is a rare finding suitable for collectors of Mexican ar...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsGold Leaf
- One of a Kind Pedro Friedeberg Hands and Ties Chair Gold LeafBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Kansas City, MOThis 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 Armchairs
MaterialsGold Leaf
