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.
Shallow Lotus Bowl, Small, Black Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow lotus bowl Black crystal Hand carved Limited Edition Crystal shapes and inclusions vary.
Crystal
Contemporary Hand Carved Smoke Crystal Shallow Lotus Bowl by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow Lotus Bowl Smoke Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Each individual crystal vary in shapes and color please inquire for more information.
Crystal
Contemporary Ripple Bowl in Red and Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ripple bowl Red Lacquer Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet ...
Copper
Contemporary Large Footed Bowl W/ Copper Rim in Mila Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large footed bowl w/ Copper Rim Mila Lacquer Hand Repoussé Copper Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique t...
Copper
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Repoussé Coronet Bowl by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coronet Bowl Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Metal Base Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at l...
Metal
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
Hand Carved Crystal Bamboo Shaven Design Bowl by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo Shaven Bowl Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Crystal forms and inclusions can vary.
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Copper Lotus Leaf Plate by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf plate 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 Smoke Crystal 5 Facet Bowl by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
5 Facet Bowl Smoke Crystal Hand Carved Crystal Limited Edition INCLUSIONS VARY
Crystal, Rock Crystal
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 Shallow Bowl in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow Bowl cream Exterior Copper exterior Cream Lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Copper
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
Contemporary Black Lacquer 4 Lobed Oblong Oval Tray by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4 lobed oblong oval tray Black lacquer Hand made Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at l...
Lacquer
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 Hand Carved Crystal Flower Plate by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Flower plate Crystal Hand carved Contemporary Limited Edition Each individual crystal vary in shapes and inclusions.
Crystal
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
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
Asian Japanese Red Lacquered Footed Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large vintage Japanese shallow footed bowl in red lacquer with gold calligraphy design. This beautiful lacquerware were made to serve foods during elaborate banquet. Great decorative...
Lacquer, Paint
Murano Glass Footed Bowl with Ruffled Rim
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant hand blown Victorian style crimped and ruffled Murano glass footed candy dish / bowl in blue and garnet, Italy, 19th century. This exquisite ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$547
H 2.76 in Dm 16.54 in
Urushi Cinnabar Red & Black Lacquer Gourd Calaba Long Bowl by Alexander Lamont
By Alexander Lamont
Located in Khet Bang Sue, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
"In China the gourd was particularly revered as a symbol of fortune and scholarship. Great care and craft goes into the cultivation of gourds into various shapes - the hourglass or f...
Lacquer
Amy Cream Bowl
Located in Paris, FR
Bowl Amy Cream all in porcelain, hand-glazed and sculpted. Porcelain with a mineral cream finishing.
Porcelain
Early Arts & Crafts Hammered Copper Footed Bowl by Roycroft
By Roycroft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This early Arts & Crafts hammered copper footed bowl by Roycroft is a beautiful example of American handcrafted design from the 1910s. The rou...
Copper
Talayot White Marble Carved Small Bowl
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Small bowl with spinning effect in carved Veneciano white marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble...
Marble
$1,065 / item
H 11.82 in W 11.03 in D 3.94 in
Contemporary Design, Rock candy bowl, by Andredottir & Bobek
By Andredottir & Bobek
Located in copenhagen, DK
One-off a kind - Contemporary design, rock candy bowl, embody the surface of roscks and stone. Made by the art and design duo Andredottir & Bobek They h...
Foam
Monterrey Black Marble Carved Small Bowl
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
Small bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +1...
Marble
Hand-Carved Onyx Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Hand-carved Onyx Bowls. Uniquely shaped! Only a few items in stock! Custom Sized (larger or smaller) bowls are available upon request. Lead time on made to order will be 3-4 months
Onyx
Karl Hagenauer Hand-Hammered Footed Copper and Brass Bowl
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Karl Hagenauer footed copper and brass bowl. Signed bottom Werkstatten Hagenauer Wien, made in Austria, Karl. Dates to the 1950s.
Brass, Copper
19th Century Japanese Lotus Leaf Dish
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite petite carved wood dish from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) masterfully depicts a lotus leaf in intricate detail. The top surface of the dish showcases the deli...
Wood
Copper Repousse Plate 22” Dia Handcrafted in India By Stephanie Odegard
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
Available Sizes: 13” Dia 22" Dia 31” Dia Round repousse copper lotus form plates. Inspired by the ancient Tibetan cloud motif. Hand hammered, hand chiseled copper...
Copper
Sold
H 4 in W 14 in D 12 in
Contemporary Hand Carved Smoke Crystal Small Shallow Lotus Bowl by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow Lotus Bowl (Small) Smoke Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Each individual crystal vary in shapes and color please inquire for more information.
Crystal
Sold
H 3.5 in W 7 in D 6 in
Contemporary Crystal Lotus Leaf Bowl by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf bowl Crystal Hand carved Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Crystal
Sold
H 4 in W 13.5 in D 8 in
Contemporary Nephrite Jade Oblong Cachepot by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oblong Cachepot Nephrite Jade Hand Carved Limited Edition Contemporary Please note: Each individual jade vary in shapes and color Known as the “Stone of Heaven,” Nephrite J...
Jade
Sold
H 3.25 in W 15.25 in D 13.75 in
Double Wall Sui Platter in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double Wall Sui Platter Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a ...
Lacquer
Contemporary Bowl in Bai Jade Peking Glass by Robert Kuo, Hand Blown Glass
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glass bowl Bai Jade Peking glass Hand blown Hand carved Limited edition Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and commercial workshops i...
Blown Glass
Contemporary Black Copper Bai He Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bai He tray Black copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief o...
Copper
Bamboo Leaf Tray in Crystal by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo leaf tray Crystal Hand carved Limited Edition.
Crystal
Ghen Bowl, Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ghen bowl Crystal Hand carved Crystal inclusions vary Limited edition Contemporary.
Crystal
Black Lacquer Song Bowl with Gold-Plated Rim, Contemporary
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Song" bowl. Gold-plated rim. Hand repoussé.
Gold