Robert Kuo Pear
2010s Figurative Sculptures
Brass
2010s Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
2010s Screens and Room Dividers
Copper
Recent Sales
1990s American More Furniture and Collectibles
Copper
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Vases
21st Century and Contemporary Vases
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Vases
Blown Glass
People Also Browsed
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
2010s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Organic Modern Wall Mirrors
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Pottery
2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Beds and Bed Frames
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
2010s Modern Table Lamps
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Plexiglass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Planters, Cachepots and Jard...
Earthenware
2010s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Smoked Glass
2010s Thai Post-Modern Chairs
Brass
Robert Kuo for sale on 1stDibs
Chinese artist and designer Robert Kuo is known worldwide for his modern furniture and objets d’art that merge ancient tradition and popular decorative styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
Born in Beijing, Kuo moved with his family to Taiwan in 1947. While he never received a formal art education, Kuo gained technical expertise working as an apprentice at his father’s cloisonné workshop from the age of 15.
In 1973, Kuo emigrated to the U.S. and opened his own cloisonné studio in Beverly Hills, California. There, he utilized the time-honored skills he learned with his father for a wide range of uniquely striking vases, sculptures and bowls. His Goldfish bowl — a technical masterpiece of vibrant colors and cloisonné designs that appear to float against a black enamel background — was acquired by the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for its permanent collection.
In 1984, Kuo opened a showroom in West Hollywood, where it became a favorite among interior designers for the sculptural and often whimsical coffee tables, stools and table lamps on offer. A year later, Kuo shifted his attention toward repoussé — a technique that sees decorative reliefs hammered onto the surface of metals. Examples of Kuo’s repoussé pieces include his black lacquer Cloud chair and Oval coffee table in antique copper.
In 2014, a retrospective exhibition celebrating Kuo’s 30th anniversary as a designer was held at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles and his New York studio. In 2016, he also hosted an exhibition in his New York studio titled “Robert Kuo Selects: Los Angeles Studio Made, Found and Represented Artists,” showcasing his works as well as pieces by prominent L.A. designers Blackman Cruz, Dana John and JF Chen. In 2019, Italian artist Mattia Biagi’s L.A. exhibition “Metropolitan Sets” included Kuo’s Back Rest chair and brass Facet Seat.
Today, Kuo’s works can be seen at the National History Museum in Taipei, Singapore Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s Hotel Palomar, the Las Vegas MGM Grand and the Four Seasons in New York.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Robert Kuo decorative objects, seating, lighting and more.