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.
The Tree Trunk Pot Large, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tree Trunk pot large Cream lacquer Hand repoussé Steel base Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-110...
Steel
Contemporary Hand Repoussé White Bronze Mushroom Sculptures by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom sculpture (Set of 2) White bronze Hand repoussé Measures: S: 29 1/2" W x 30 1/2" D x 28" H L: 38" W x 37" D x 32 1/2" H Limited edition Contemporary Each piece is ind...
Bronze
$2,963Sale Price|24% Off
H 94 in Dm 13 in
Large Modern White Enameled Forged Steel Kinetic Sculpture '95 M.G. La Mair'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large modern white enameled forged steel Kinetic sculpture, visually Kinetic, non moveable sculpture, standing seven feet-eigh...
Iron
Abstract Sculpture, Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
Abstraction. Marble sculpture. Abstract sculpture is non-figurative, it is based on three-dimensionality and relies on texture and geometric shapes, with color as the protagonist ...
Marble
French Garden Sculpture Of Mushrooms
Located in Houston, TX
French Garden Sculpture Of Mushrooms. Offered is a lovely French garden ornament of a group of mushrooms. This beautiful garden statue can be u...
Concrete, Cement
Large Majolica Orchid Cache Pot Fives Lille, circa 1890
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica cache pot in two parts decorated with orchids Fives Lille, circa 1890. H / 9.5 inches , D / 10.5 inches. Rare size.
Ceramic
Spanish Hand Painted Iron Bamboo Sculpture
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish hand painted iron bamboo sculpture.
Iron
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 11 in W 19.5 in D 10.5 in
Hand Carved Stone Column Base Pedestal Sculpture Doorstop Decorative Element LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Column Base pedestal Sculpture Doorstop Decorative Element LA . Nicely hand carved 17th century Renaissance stone column base appli...
Stone
Large Teak Wood Root Hand-Carved Organic Sculpture Sphere
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Impressive organic teak wood root shaped into a sphere sculpture. This large heavy natural teak root sculpture sphere has been hand-carved from reclaimed natural teak wood root sphere to create this perfect beauty sculpture. The inner root has been left to its natural beautiful state, while the outer section has been polished to produce a visually stunning contrast. By leaving the live edge it gives the inner surface of the ball a unique organic shape and preserves its natural beauty. This is a great piece of hand carved teak wood ball...
Teak
Large California Modern Matte Black Planter Pot by Gainey
By Gainey Pottery
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large Gainey of Laverne California planter pot. Finished in a matte black glaze. No cracks or chips no drill through. Very clean exterior. Evidence of use...
Pottery
1980's Modernists Marble Sculpture
Located in Denton, TX
Beautifully carved out of one piece of beige marble it seems to have curved steps to a higher level, with some sharp angles plunging into the abyss. Unknown artist 1985.
Marble
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 21 in D 21 in
16th C. Hand Carved Capital Stone Base Architectural Element Sculpture Pedestal
Located in West Hollywood, CA
16th C. Hand Carved Capital Stone Base Architectural Element Sculpture Pedestal. Very rare 16th Century Renaissance corner Capital . Hand carved limestone Chapiteau Capital from a Cloister in France . From an ornamental point of view , it is the coronation , the upper part of a post or a column or pilaster pillar . A beautiful Architectural element garden ornament . It can used as a Base for a coffee glass table , or as a side table for drinks or to mount books. A stunning Fragments to be used as stand for a sculpture . Use it as a pedestal or as a mounted decorative object. In an entryway a bathroom a living room , in an office , it will create an incredible focal point . It can make a beautiful base for a floor lamp by a leather reading chair...
Stone, Limestone
$1,000Sale Price|44% Off
H 11 in W 13.5 in D 10 in
Hand-Carved Marble Horse Head Sculpture by L. Meyer, Antique, 1960s
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Hand carved marble abstract horse head sculpture signed L.Meyer.
Marble
$6,979
H 63 in W 10.63 in D 13.78 in
Vintage 1990s Spanish Hand Carved Wooden Painted Mermaid Sculpture
Located in Marbella, ES
Vintage 1990s Spanish hand carved wooden painted mermaidsculpture, reminiscent of a boats figurehead.
Wood
Sold
H 15 in W 60 in D 14 in
Stone Marble Bench with Square Bases by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone bench with square bases Stone Han Bai Yu marble (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition Hand carved stone bench with square base...
Marble