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Pedro Friedeberg Tables

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 Hands Feet Table. Gold Leaf. Original and Rare
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg surrealist table. Glass with gold leafed hand carved wood. An exceptional example of the artists work. Could be used as a coffee table, occasional table, side tab...
Category

1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pedro Friedeberg Gilt Hand Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Houston, TX
Pedro Friedeberg Gilt Hand Table composed of gilt wood and glass. It features sculptured feet, arms, and hands. The hands clutch the glass top.
Category

20th Century Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Surrealism Sculptural Hand Table Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning hand and foot table design and made by Mexican Surrealism artist Pedro Friedeberg in his iconic hand and leg motifs. Made of laminated an...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pedro Friedeberg Hand-Foot Table
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example of this iconic form. Cleaned and polished original surface. Signed on the underside of the feet.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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Unique Table by Pedro Friedeberg of Butterflies, Mexico, circa 1970
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Pedro Friedeberg tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Muller of Mexico, Senal, and Don S. Shoemaker.

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