Pedro Friedeberg Hand Chair in Solid Honduran Mahogany 1960s Signed
About the Item
- Creator:Pedro Friedeberg (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1962
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Lightly Refinished to the highest possible standard with a fresh coat of clear satin lacquer.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:
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: Dallas, TX
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- California Crafts Movement Chair, SculptureLocated in Dallas, TXMasterfully constructed hand carved chair-sculpture from the California crafts movement. Possibly one of a kind. Unsigned. Very much in the ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Bernard Rancillac Elephant Chair Prototype 1960sBy Bernard RancillacLocated in Dallas, TXThis example is not one of the chairs produced as part of the limited edition series of 100 in the 1980's. This example is one of the original prototype and is embossed with the Ranc...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Modernist Bentwood Adam Stegner Children's Chairs Pagho 1960sBy Adam Stegner, Pagholz FlötottoLocated in Dallas, TXThese chairs were designed by Adam Stegner and were produced by Pagholz Flötotto in the 1960s. They were produced for the schulmobel line and have the manufacturers mark impressed in...Category
Vintage 1960s German Chairs
MaterialsMaple, Mahogany
- Flexform Ortigia Armchairs in Hand-Woven Black Leather Cord over Solid WalnutBy FlexformLocated in Dallas, TXDesigned as statement pieces, the Ortigia armchairs can play a leading role in settings like the bedroom or easily be matched with your sofa to lend a note of understated elegance to...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Curved Front two-Tier Console in Honduran Mahogany by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Dallas, TXEarly 1960's sculptural Dunbar Janus Series two-tier Console. Fully restored to the highest possible standard in a satin lacquer finish. Designed by Edward Wormley. Would also serve ...Category
Early 20th Century Console Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Tommi Parzinger Classic Modern Ten Foot Sofa in Mahogany, 1960sBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Dallas, TXRare and extraordinarily well-built Tommi Parzinger Sofa. This sofa was acquired from the original owners in south Florida who were friends of Tommi Pa...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMahogany
- Pedro Friedeberg Iconic Wood Hand Chair, 1960sBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Uccle, BEThis 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 Go...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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
- 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
- Carved Hand Chair after Pedro FriedebergBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in NYC, NYA unique, hand-carved wood chair in the shape of a cupped hand with detailing down to the wrinkles and fingernails. The base whimsically detailed as a shirt cuff with buttons. Solid....Category
Vintage 1950s French Folk Art Slipper Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Carved Walnut Pedro Friedeberg Style Hand ChairBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Montreal, QCCarved Walnut Pedro Friedeberg style hand chair.Category
Vintage 1980s American Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Signed Pedro Friedeberg Butterfly Chair an Exceptional ExampleBy Pedro FriedebergLocated in Kansas City, MOAuthentic, signed hand-painted and gold leafed Pedro Friedeberg butterfly chair in excellent condition.Category
Early 2000s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsGold Leaf