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.
Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich Dimensions: D 19 x W 47 x H 36 cm. Material: Brass. Available in a smaller size: D 10 x W 26 x H 20 cm. Federico Stefanovich presents himself as...
Brass
Chair by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now achi...
Bronze
Dagon Chair, by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Geneve, CH
Dagon chair - by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez Dimensions: D 55 x W 50 x H 76 cm Material: Wood This piece takes its name from Dagon, the Babylonian G...
Wood
$5,477
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Handmade Calderilla Chair by Cristian Herrera Dalmau, Modern Design
By Cristian Herrera Dalmau
Located in Barcelona, ES
Contemporary handmade 5 Cent Coins welded Chair Calderilla by famous Barcelona-based designer Cristian Herrera Dalmau. Functional art piece. Collectible design. Calderilla Chair ful...
Copper, Steel
Pachamama by Pablo Amoedo
Located in Miami, US
Presenting Pachamama, a remarkable sculpture by the renowned artist Pablo Amoedo. This intricate piece is a stunning fusion of materials, including iron, aluminum, laminated wood, epoxy, bronze, and acrylic, showcasing Amoedo’s exceptional craftsmanship and creative vision. The central body, ears, and base of the sculpture are crafted from cut and rolled iron sheets, meticulously bolted together with bronze fasteners. The face and hands are made of satin-finished white epoxy, offering a smooth and refined contrast to the industrial materials. The legs and arms, formed from patinated iron pipes, feature aluminum joints and patinated bronze details, adding both durability and visual complexity. The shoes are composed of phenolic wood and earth-cast, turned aluminum, highlighting the artist’s attention to detail. A translucent acrylic plate, embedded with red epoxy inlays...
Bronze, Iron, Aluminum
Sculpture Titled "Meteora" by Fabián Bercic, Argentina, 2021
By Fabián Bercic
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Iron sheet, polyester resin, fiberglass, acrylic paint and chrome sculpture titled "Meteora" by Fabián Bercic. Argentina, 2021. Exhibited in Fabián Berci...
Sheet Metal, Chrome
Minos ( archaic )
By Ferreri Giovanni Luca
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Archaic stool in solid wood burnt with shou sugi ban technique with bronze details
Bronze
$5,477
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Handmade Bronze Sculptural Chair by Cristian Herrera, Barcelona
By Cristian Herrera Dalmau
Located in Barcelona, ES
Contemporary Sculptural Bronze Chair Handmade 5 Cent Coins by Cristian Herrera Handmade sculptural chair made with 1,600 five-cent euro coins welded together by the sculptor and des...
Copper, Steel
Abraxas Chair, by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Geneve, CH
Arbaxas Chair, by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez Dimensions: D 67 x W 60 x H 80 cm Material: Wood This piece has been described as combining qualities of both elegance and manline...
Wood
Marques Chair, by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Geneve, CH
Marques chair, by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez Dimensions: D 51 x W 50 x H 82 cm Material: Wood The defining characteristic of these pieces is the use of sharp angles that form ...
Wood
Limited Edition Contemporary Resin Sculpture, 54/100, 2022
By Suanjaya Kencut
Located in Aventura, FL
Limited edition resin sculpture. Stamped edition 54/100 on the underside. Sculpture size: 12.5 x 5.9 x 8.1 inches. Includes original wooden box and Certificate of Authenticity. C...
Resin
Rostro Large Bronze Sculpture, Contemporary, Signed 2/7, 2010+
By Manuel Mendive
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Signed 'MENDIVE' lower left side. Numbered 2/7 lower left side. Size: 27.7 x 16 x 9.2 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity han...
Bronze
Caja de Cebra, Handmade Bronze Zebra Box Sculpture, Signed Edition of 8
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Aventura, FL
Handmade bronze zebra box sculpture. Incised 'Pedro Friedberg' on the underside. Incised 6/8 on the underside. Size: 8.7 x 9 x 2.5 inches. Certificate of Authenticity is included...
Bronze
Untitled Stainless Steel Sculpture by León Ferrari, 1981, 42x20x20 Inches
By Leon Ferrari
Located in Aventura, FL
Original one of a kind stainless steel sculpture. Incised "Leon Ferrari 1981" on a metal plaque affixed to the lower area of the sculpture. Sculpture is in excellent condition. ...
Stainless Steel
Untitled Nude Bronze Sculpture, Contemporary, Edition of VII, 1985
By Felipe Castañeda
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Incised artist signature with date and edition. Size includes base. Additional images are available upon request. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please ...
Bronze
Accumulation of Disorder Sculpture, Unique Fiberglass, Signed 8/12
By Lionel Smit
Located in Aventura, FL
Unique fiberglass and resin sculpture hand finished with automotive paint. Incised signature lower right by Lionel Smit. Incised 8/12 lower right. Artwork size: 33.5 x 19 x 14.4 i...
Resin, Fiberglass, Automotive Paint
The eccentric artist's abode is a veritable cabinet of curiosities.
This set of recipes and original prints might not make you a better chef. But it will make you smile.
