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 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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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 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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
Robert Indiana Brushed Aluminum Red Love Paperweight Sculpture
By Robert Indiana
Located in San Diego, CA
This very rare rendition and unique small edition of the vintage Robert Indiana love paperweight sculpture is captivating. This rarely seen version i...
Aluminum
$4,821
H 19.3 in W 27.56 in D 16.93 in
Olivier Vonet Sculpture in black, blue, and red lacquered metal. Contemporary
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Olivier Vonet Stable and mobile sculpture, made of raw metal and black, blue, and red lacquered metal. One-of-a-kind piece. Work by a contemporary French artist. Dimensions: H 49 ...
Steel
$51,940 / item
H 29.134 in W 27.559 in D 20.866 in
Lladró Great Dragon Sculpture by Francisco Polope. Limited Edition.
By Francisco Polope, Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Limited edition dragon sculpture in matte porcelain with gold lustre. A symbol of power and prosperity in Eastern culture, this magical creature, the bearer of good luck, is the protagonist in this spectacular High Porcelain limited edition. The hundreds of scales covering its skin are individually hand painted with gold lustre, an extremely laborious technique requiring the expertise of the finest artists. The luminosity distinguishing its spectacular embellishment is attained by combining gloss and satin finishes, united by an iridescent metallic hue on the chest and a vivid turquoise hue on the crest. The complexity of the dragon´s...
Porcelain
$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
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 ...
$32,025 / item
H 22.441 in W 25.984 in D 12.598 in
Lladró Oriental Horse Sculpture by Salvador Furió. Limited Edition.
By Lladro, Salvador Furió
Located in New York City, NY
Limited edition sculpture of an oriental battle horse in matte white porcelain with brown, ochre and blue tones. This majestic and elegant animal is inspired by traditional art of the Chinese Tang dynasty. The horse proudly wears its tack, typical of the upper classes, making this High Porcelain limited edition a symbol which conveys the significance this animal represented in Chinese society from ancient times: beauty, power and wealth. In this gloss finish version, the oriental horse...
Porcelain
Bronze Limited Edition Hippopotamus Sculpture by Loet Vanderveen
By Loet Vanderveen
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition bronze hippopotamus sculpture by Loet Vanderveen, circa 1990s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a wonderful patina and measures 10.5"W x 4.5"D x 5"H ...
Bronze
Robert Kuo Oversized Copper Repoussé Apple, ca 2000s
By Robert Kuo
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Robert Kuo Oversized Copper Repoussé Apple, ca 2000s This is a large and beautiful decorative copper apple that is sure to command attention in any area. Robert Kuo designs are the ...
Copper
Contemporary Double Ring Link Sculpture in Brass and Crystal by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double ring link sculpture Brass Crystal Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The...
Crystal, Brass
Tomato with Copper Stem, Yellow Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tomato with copper stem Yellow lacquer Antique copper Hand Repousse Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The t...
Copper
Sold
H 29.5 in W 28 in D 13 in
Rabbit Sculpture, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Cream lacquer Hand repousse Copper base Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, ...
Copper
Apple Sculpture, Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple Brass Hand Repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet met...
Brass
Sold
H 9.25 in W 32.5 in D 17.5 in
Large Orchid Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé Copper, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Orchid sculpture. Antique copper finish. Hand repousse´ copper. Limited edition. Decorative object. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-ha...
Copper
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
Sold
H 15.5 in W 16 in D 13.5 in
Tomato with Copper Stem, Moss Green Lacquer, Antique Copper, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tomato sculpture. Moss green lacquer. Antique copper. Hand repoussé. Copper base. Limited edition. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-h...
Copper