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 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
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
$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
$16,494 / 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
$428 / item
H 3.08 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Ophelia Black Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
By Reflections Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Ophelia black crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 9, H 7.8, D 9 cm The Ophelia black T-light holder ...
Crystal
$1,400
H 10.5 in Dm 7.75 in
Robert Kuo , contemporary Turquoise color , Peking glass vase/ vessel , signed
By Robert Kuo, John McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful turquoise color Peking glass vase designed by Robert Kuo. signed R Kuo in bottom.
Glass
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
Robert Jarvie Bronze Kappa Candlesticks
By Robert R. Jarvie
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An associated pair Original surface and bobeches Signed.
Bronze
Pair of English Art Deco Candlesticks in Hand-Turned Wood, Brass and Copper
Located in Glasgow, GB
This pair of English Art Deco candlesticks, produced circa the 1930s, combines hand-turned hardwood stems with stepped brass and copper bases, reflecting a distinctly architectural a...
Brass, 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 ...
Unavailable|$4,800 / item
H 27 in W 15 in D 25 in
Contemporary Sprue Candelabra Five in Cast Bronze by Fort Standard
By Fort Standard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Sprue candelabra is cast bronze with two-five candleholders depending on the size. The textures within the wax during the casting process translate perfectly into the bronze mate...
Bronze
$652 / item
H 20.08 in W 9.85 in D 1.58 in
Ghidini 1961 There Push Pin Candleholder in Copper by Studio Job
By Ghidini 1961, Studio Job (Job Smeets & Nynke Tynagel)
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candlestick in brass. The push pin as a representation of the struggle for achievement day by day, months by months, till we conquer. The push pin sconce is e...
Brass
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
Folk Art Industrial Roller Chain Candlestand
Located in Seattle, WA
A very well-designed piece of Folk Art made from Industrial roller chain, this piece has four cups for tapers and an upper deck for a pillar candle at the t...
Steel
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