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 Large Rabbit Sculpture in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Rabbit Sculpture Black Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Copper Base Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. T...
Copper
Contemporary Sheep Sculpture (Female) in Black Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep (Female) Black Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Sculpture has a lacquered body and exposed copper face and feet which can patina over time. R...
Copper
Contemporary Red Lacquer and Copper Cherries Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherries Red Lacquer Antique Copper Copper Base Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Hand Made Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This te...
Copper
Elephant, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elephant sculpture Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated a...
Copper
Contemporary Lima Bean Sculpture in Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lima bean sculpture Brass Hand Repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The ...
Brass
Contemporary Repousse Tomato Sculpture in Dark Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tomato sculpture Dark Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tradition...
Copper
Contemporary Green Lacquer Apple Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple Sculpture Green Lacquer Antiqued Copper Stem Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. T...
Copper
Contemporary Copper Apple Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple Sculpture Antique Copper Dark Antique Copper Hand Repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering...
Copper
Contemporary Small Penguin in Black and Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Penguin (Small) Black Lacquer Cream Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Sculpture has a lacquered body and exposed copper beak and feet which can patina...
Copper
Contemporary Sitting Rabbit Sculpture in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit (Sitting) tabletop sculpture Dark antique copper Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. R...
Copper
Contemporary Rabbit Sculpture in Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Sculpture Brass Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative rel...
Brass
Rounded Zong Sculpture, Nephrite Jade by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rounded zong sculpture Nephrite jade Hand carved Stainless steel Hand repousse Limited edition Each individual jade vary in shapes and color Known as the “Stone of Heaven,” ...
Jade
Green Apple Lacquer Sculpture w/ Copper Stem by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple Sculpture Green Lacquer Antique Copper Stem Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Can be placed outdoors but copper stem would patina over time. Repoussé is the traditional art of han...
Copper
Apple Sculpture, White Bronze by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple white bronze hand repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto she...
Bronze
Contemporary Double Ring Link Sculpture in Smoke Crystal by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double Ring Link Sculpture Smoke Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Crystal Inclusions vary Carved using jade carving techniques. Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Crystal
Cascade Design Grey Peking Glass Disc on Stand by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Cascade design disc on stand. Grey Peking glass hand carved brass base hand made Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. 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...
Brass
Contemporary Black Lacquer Banana Leaf Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Banana Leaf Sculpture/ Tray Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang ...
Copper
Banana Leaf, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Banana leaf Antique copper Hand repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief ...
Copper
Bell Pepper, Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bell pepper Red lacquer Antique copper Hand repousse Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B....
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Antiqued Copper Sitting Rabbit Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Sculpture (Sitting) Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hamm...
Copper
Rhinoceros Sculpture, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, One of a Kind
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rhinoceros sculpture Antique copper Hand repousse One of a kind Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated ...
Copper
Contemporary Cherries Sculpture in Dark Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherries Sculpture Dark Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional...
Copper
Rabbit, Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Crystal Hand carved Crystal inclusions vary Limited Edition.
Crystal
Contemporary Nephrite Jade Double Ring Link Sculpture III by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double Ring Link Sculpture Nephrite Jade Hand Carved Limited Edition Contemporary JADE LINK LABELED: JL12 Please note: Each individual jade vary in shapes and color please ...
Jade
Contemporary Sheep Sculpture (Male) in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep Sculpture (Male) Cream Lacquer Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal....
Copper
Contemporary Black & Cream Lacquer Penguin w/ Head Down Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Penguin w/ head down Black lacquer Crean lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional ar...
Copper
Contemporary Penguin Sculpture in Copper and White Bronze by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Penguin sculpture Black copper White bronze Hand repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique i...
Copper
Repoussé Brass Pear Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pear sculpture Brass Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto she...
Brass
Cherries, White Bronze by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherries White bronze Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto...
Bronze
Contemporary Apple w/ Worm Sculpture in Antique Copper and Brass by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple with worm sculpture Antique copper Brass Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammer...
Brass, Copper
Contemporary Black Lacquer Sea Lion Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sea lion sculpture Black Lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet met...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé White Bronze Pear Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pear sculpture White bronze Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief ...
Bronze
Contemporary Sheep Sculpture (Female) in Cream lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep Sculpture (Female) Cream Lacquer Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Sculpture has a lacquered body and exposed copper face and feet which can patina ove...
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
Scholar Rock, Nephrite Jade by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scholar rock Nephrite jade Hand carved Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Jade color, size, shape and inclusions all vary. Known as the “Stone o...
Jade
Gerber Daisy Flower Sculpture, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerber daisy flower Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art...
Copper
Contemporary Shang Design Carved Frog Sculpture in Crystal by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shang Design Carved Frog Sculpture Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Crystal Inclusions Vary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Crystal
Ice Carved Bi Disc in Smoke Crystal by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ice carved Bi disc Steel stand Smoke crystal Hand carved Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Crystal
Contemporary Lying Down Cat Sculpture in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cat (Lying Down) Sculpture Cream Lacquer Antiqued Copper Eyes Copper Base Hand Repoussé Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This te...
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
Contemporary Repoussé Copper Grape Sprig Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grape Sprig Sculpture Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Copper Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Copper
Catfish, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Catfish Black Lacquer Hand Repousse Copper 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...
Copper
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
Contemporary Long Han Gourd Sculpture in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Long Han Gourd Sculpture Cream Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Water Ox Sculpture in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Water Ox sculpture Antique copper Hand repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tr...
Copper
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
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
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
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 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