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 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 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 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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
Limited Edition Bronze Rhinoceros Sculpture by Loet Vanderveen
By Loet Vanderveen
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition bronze rhinoceros sculpture by Loet Vanderveen, circa 1990s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a wonderful patina and measures 11.25"W x 4"D x 105.5"H....
Bronze
Contemporary Hand-engraved Aquamarine Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The "Cactus" Sculpture is not only an elegant and modern piece of furniture but it is also a unique and unrepeatable sculpture. This incredible object has been worked and sculpted...
Glass
Smoke Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Resin
Monumental Carved 'Hand' Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large, hand-carved wooden sculpture depicts a hand holding a stone and boasts spectacular detail and varying textures and shapes. The work is artist signed by inlay and dated "H...
Wood
Bronze Limited Edition "Lioness" Sculpture by Loet Vanderveen
By Loet Vanderveen
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique bronze limited edition "Lioness" sculpture by Loet Vanderveen, circa 2000s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a wonderful ...
Bronze
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.375 in W 5.5 in D 2 in
Antique Signed Japanese Articulated Crab Sculpture in Copper Jizai Okimono
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique signed Japanese articulated crab sculpture (Jizai OKimono) in copper, circa 1910s. The piece is well detailed and patinated.
Copper
$1,846 / item
H 4.93 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Contemporary 'Apple' Sculpture Blue Crystal Handcrafted in Italy by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The sculpture propose the romantic vision of two halves that perfectly complement each other once together. Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked ...
Glass
Hand Carved & Hand Painted Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved & hand painted rooster sculpture. Very folky rooster.
Wood
Pair of Beautiful Carved Sculpture Lapis and Jade
Located in Milan, Italy
Pair of beautiful carved sculptures in Lapis and green Jade produced in China. Italian private collection.
Amethyst
$3,005 / item
H 6.11 in W 3.15 in D 2.76 in
Contemporary 'Pear' Sculpture Amber Yellow Crystal Handcrafted by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The sculpture evokes the romantic vision of two halves that perfectly complement each other once together and symbolize the indissoluble union. Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked from a block of crystal. This make impossible to create two identical ones. The crystal has been worked by hand until to a smooth and luminous surface to obtain the shape of a pear. The crystal used...
Glass
Vintage Hand-Carved Jade Stone Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage hand-carved jade stone statue was cleverly sculpted to depict fully laden grapevines, combined with a naturally colored rouge segment below creating the illusion of a gnarly grapevine root...
Stone
Embraced Sculpture, Limited Edition
By Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Porcelain creation depicting Jaime Hayon’s latest creation. A work that speaks about looking after oneself and harmony. Jaime Hayon’s latest creation in porcelain for Lladró is a new character sure to be another resounding success. Ten years after...
Porcelain
Contemporary Nephrite Jade Double Ring Link Sculpture 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: JL01 Please note: Each individual jade vary in shapes and color please ...
Jade
Crystal Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Hand-Carved, One of a Kind
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crystal sculpture Crystal Hand-carved Steel base Repoussé One of a kind.
Crystal, Steel
Water Lily Leaf Sculpture by Robert Kuo, One of a Kind
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Water lily leaf sculpture. Cream lacquer. Antique copper finish on stem. Hand Repoussé. Lacquer over copper. One of a kind contemporary decorative sculpture/accessory. Repou...
Copper