Robert Kuo Metalwork
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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Robert Kuo Metalwork
Copper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Robert Kuo Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
20th Century Japanese Robert Kuo Metalwork
Bronze
Early 20th Century Egyptian Islamic Robert Kuo Metalwork
Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century Chinese Robert Kuo Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
1960s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Robert Kuo Metalwork
Enamel
1930s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Robert Kuo Metalwork
Copper
20th Century Chinese Qing Robert Kuo Metalwork
Copper, Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Robert Kuo Metalwork
Brass
19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Robert Kuo Metalwork
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Robert Kuo Metalwork
Metal, Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Robert Kuo Metalwork
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Robert Kuo Metalwork
Enamel
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Robert Kuo Metalwork
Tin
