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 Hand Repousse Antique Copper Willow Vase by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willow vase Antique copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique inv...
Copper
Lotus Leaf Plate, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf plate Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated ar...
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
$12,300 / item
Temple Bell Pot with Copper Band and Black Lacquer
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique copper finish on copper band Hand repousse´ Black lacquer Contemporary Limited Edition Chinese lacquer is a highly regarded art form an...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Kuai Block Vase in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kuai design block vase Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Contemporary This vase requires a liner Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief ...
Copper
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
Carved Pleated Leaf Charger, Dong Shan Jade by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved pleated leaf charger Dong Shan Jade Hand carved Limited edition. Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Jade color, size and inclusions all vary.
Jade
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Cloud Design Tray by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cloud design tray Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates ...
Metal
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
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 Hand Repoussé Tang Candlestand in Black Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tang candlestand Black copper Hand repoussé Contemporary Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Carved Jade Lima Bean Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lima bean sculpture Nephrite Jade Hand carved Limited edition Known as the “Stone of Heaven,” Nephrite Jade is prized for both its aesthetic beaut...
Jade
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
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
Da Hu Copper Jar, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Da Hu copper jar Antique copper Hand Repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Copper
$1,081Sale Price|40% Off
Hand Finished Repousse Copper Pair of vases, by Robert Kuo.
By Robert Kuo
Located in Canterbury, England
A unique pair of large, handmade, hand finished repousse copper vases, by Robert Kuo. Robert Kuo decorative objects are world famous, and exhibit...
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 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
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 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 Weave Design Vase in Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Weave design vase Antique copper Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Use liner for floral arrangement Repoussé is the traditional a...
Copper
Baluster Jar and Lid in Azure Colors by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baluster jar and lid Cloisonne Azure enamel Hand repousse Copper base The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique that dates bac...
Enamel
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
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
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
Robert Kuo Red Tree Trunk Sculpture
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand blown glass and metal sculpture by Robert Kuo, c.2000s, USA. The globe was produced using the peking glass method which originated in China. The red colored glass is blown into ...
Metal, Silver Plate
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
$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