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.
Contemporary Repousse Ju Wen Jarlet in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ju Wen Jarlet Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering d...
Copper
Contemporary Tall Gourd Vase in Grey Peking Glass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall gourd vase. Grey peking glass. Hand carved. Limited Edition Measures: 8"dia x 13"height Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and commercial workshops in Beijing during the Ching Dynasty, China 1644-1911. Since then, ‘Peking Glass’ has become synonymous with the Chinese technique of glassmaking. Robert Kuo glass...
Blown Glass
Repoussé Black Lacquer Sheep Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep sculpture (Male) Black lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This techniqu...
Copper
Ola Vase, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ola vase Antique copper Hand repousse Limited edition Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated circa 800 ...
Copper
Rock Bud Vase, Short, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rock bud vase (Short) Black lacquer Copper base handmade / Hand repousse Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynas...
Lacquer
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
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Ji Guan Hua Vase in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ji Guan Hua Vase Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Copper Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering d...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Carved Crystal Bi Sculpture w/ Steel Stand by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bi Sculpture on steel stand (medium) Crystal Hand carved Steel Contemporary sculpture Limited edition Crystal shapes and inclusions vary.
Crystal
Bian Vase, Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bian vase Red lacquer White bronze rim Hand repousse Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made wi...
Bronze
Moon Jar w/ Chuan Design - Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Moon Jar w/ Chuan Design Antique Copper Hand Repousse Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique origi...
Copper
Zong Bi Sculpture in Han Bai Yu Stone on Steel Stand by Robert Kuo, Limited Ed
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Zong Bi sculpture on steel stand Han Bai Yu stone Hand carved Limited edition.
Stone
Standing Gourd Sculpture, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Standing gourd Cream lacquer Copper Hand repousse Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at lea...
Copper
Four Petal Cream Lacquer Pot by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four petal design Cream lacquer Copper base Hand repoussé Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made wi...
Copper
Contemporary Lobed Planter w/ Waist in Black Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lobed Planter w/ Waist Black Copper Finish Hand Repoussé Copper Metal Limited Edition This planter requires a liner Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative re...
Copper
Robert Kuo Copper Hammered Willow Vase Retailed by Steve Chase
By Robert Kuo
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A Robert Kuo copper hammered willow vase, retailed by Steve Chase for $1580.00 in the 1990s. It bears the Steve Chase inventory label and the retail ...
Robert Kuo Persimmon Facet Vase
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand blown glass faceted vase by Robert Kuo, c.2000s, USA. The vase was produced using the peking glass method which originated in China. The persimmon colored glass is blown into it...
Glass, Art Glass
Contemporary Hand Carved Large Crystal Leaf Plate by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Crystal Leaf Plate Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Inclusions and Shape of the crystal may vary.
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Contemporary Serpentine Candlestand in Copper & White Bronze by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serpentine Candlestand Copper White Bronze Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorati...
Bronze, Copper
Contemporary Jie Vase in Black Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jie Vase Black Copper Hand Repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet...
Copper
Contemporary High Compote in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High Compote Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 16...
Lacquer
Contemporary Red Lacquer 4 Petal Pot by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4 petal pot Red lacquer Hand Repoussé Copper base Contemporary Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces ...
Copper
Chrysanthemum Lobe Kung Pot, Black Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chrysanthemum Lobe Kung pot Black copper Hand repousse Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique origi...
Copper
Round Plates, Set of 3, Green Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round plates (set of 3) Green lacquer Handmade Limited edition Measures: Small 6" diameter x 1 1/2" height Medium: 8 1/2" diameter x 1 1/2" height Large: 10" diameter x 2" heig...
Lacquer
Smoke Crystal Ice Sculpture by Rober Kuo, Hand Carved, in Stock
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Smoke crystal ice sculpture Smoke crystal Hand carved In stock.
Crystal
Robert Kuo Gray Facet Vase
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand blown glass faceted vase by Robert Kuo, c.2000s, USA. The vase was produced using the peking glass method which originated in China. The gray colored glass is blown into its for...
Glass, Art Glass
Robert Kuo Dark Green Round Facet Vase
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand blown glass vase by Robert Kuo, c.2000s, USA. The vase was produced using the peking glass method which originated in China. The dark green colored glass is blown into its form ...
Glass, Art Glass
$1,800
Robert Kuo Facet Vase
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand blown glass vase by Robert Kuo, c.2000s, USA. The vase was produced using the peking glass method which originated in China. The soft glowing green colored glass is blown into i...
Glass, Art Glass