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 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 Crystal Zong Candlestand by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Zong Candlestand Crystal Hand Carved Inclusions Vary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
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
Pedestal Candleholder, Black Lacquer and Crystal by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pedestal candleholder Black lacquer Crystal Hand carved Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. The pieces are made w...
Crystal
Crystal Tea Light Hurricane Lantern by Deborah Ehrlich
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Deborah Ehrlich's crystal tea light hurricane lantern is made up of four nested pieces of handblown, hand-cut Swedish crystal. Used with a clear tea light candle, the flame moves ...
Crystal
Fine Carved Rock Crystal Candleholders by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Pair of fine carved rock crystal candleholders with brass insert decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC.
Rock Crystal
Smoky Rock Crystal Candleholders by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Pair of fine carved smoky rock crystal candleholders with polish brass insert decoration. Created by Pheonix Gallery, NYC. Custom size and quantity...
Rock Crystal
$348 / item
H 4.33 in W 1.97 in D 8.86 in
Folio Candleholders Designed by Antigone Acconci in Copper, Brass or Inox
By Riccardo Bastiani, Antigone Acconci
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folio candleholders are available in copper, brass or stainless steel. Its spontaneous oxidation will appear with time and is due to its natural finishings. The structure is made by...
Metal
Rock Crystal Candleholder by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Multifaceted rock crystal candleholder. Created by Phoenix Gallery.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Candleholder by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Multifaceted dark rock crystal candleholder. Created by Phoenix Gallery.
Rock Crystal
$450 / item
H 29 in Dm 4.9 in
Hand Hammered & Polished Copper Candlesticks by Hessel Studios California
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous simple and elegant arts & crafts style hand hammered copper candlestick holder made by Hessel Studios in San Rafael California. Tall sinewy...
Copper
Silver Plated Owl Candlesticks by Robert and Belk
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLD WIDE SHIPPING This pair of English silver plated owl candlesticks by Robert and Belk are modelled as standing owls supporting tulip form candle cups raised above their h...
Silver Plate
Contemporary Bronze Candlestick, 9.5-Inch Diameter, Indonesia
Located in New York, NY
A tall bronze candlestick in forged bronze, black finish. Contemporary. The 9.5-inch diameter top plate is designed to hold large size candles,...
Bronze
Block & Pearl Contemporary Candlestick In White by Margit Wittig
By Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
UK customers please note: displayed prices do not include VAT. Margit Wittig has used her sculptural skills to create beautifully-crafted, well-proportioned candlesticks, which are ...
Brass
$16,394 / set
H 18.51 in W 11.82 in D 9.45 in
Contemporary Bronze Elan Candlesticks by Pierre Salagnac
By Pierre Salagnac
Located in London, GB
Elan Candlesticks by Pierre Salagnac Material: Bronze, golden polish Dimensions: H 47,5 x 30 x 24 cm Year: 2023 Type: limited edition, signed Revealing the organic curves of nature...
Bronze
Hand-Crafted Mid-Century Modern Copper Candelabra, Germany, 1970
Located in London, GB
Candelabra for four candles on alternating is created in stationary positions, made in copper with hammered texture, Germany, 1970s. They can hold standard candles or pillar candles,...
Copper
Sold
H 16.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
Candelabra, Black Copper and Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Candelabra Black copper Crystal Hand repousse Hand carved Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammerin...
Copper
Ji Guan Hua Candle Stand, Antique Copper, Contemporary, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ji Guan Hua design candle stand. Antique copper. Hand repoussé. Copper. Limited edition. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative re...
Copper