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.
Full Moon Jar in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Full moon jar Cream lacquer (60 coats) Copper base Hand repousse Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a laborious and time-consuming process. After it...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Hexagonal Tall Jar in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hexagonal Short Jar Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Round Jarlet in Black Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round Jarlet Black Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decor...
Copper
Full Moon Jar in Black Lacquer by Robert kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Full moon jar Black lacquer (60 coats) Copper base Hand repousse Lacquer is a laborious and time-consuming process. After it is tapped from the trees, lacquer needs to be boil...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Ribbed Jar in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ribbed Jar Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-ha...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Hexagonal Short Jar in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hexagonal Short Jar Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Copper
Contemporary Black Lacquer and Copper Jar by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jar Black Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This techni...
Copper
Baluster Jar & Lid, Fish Scale Design by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition Cloisonné
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baluster Jar & Lid Fish Scale Design Cloisonne Amber, Brown, and Black Hand Made Limited Edition
Enamel
Contemporary Repousse Ju Wen Jarlet in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ju Wen Jarlet Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering d...
Copper
Four Petal Cream Lacquer Pot by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four petal design Cream lacquer Copper base Hand repoussé Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made wi...
Copper
Da Hu Copper Jar, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Da Hu copper jar Antique copper Hand Repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Copper
Tall Angelo Bragalini vase in copper - Italy, 1950s
By Angelo Bragalini
Located in London, GB
Italian artist and designer Angelo Bragalini (1913–1994), best recognised for his talents as a sculptor, was also a technically skilled metalsmith. Set pieces for filmmaker Federico ...
Copper
Contemporary Round Marbled Amazon Vase in Green by Elyse Graham
By Elyse Graham
Located in Springfield, OR
Our Hydro collection is inspired by the grooves and patterns that waterways make through the landscape as seen from above. The layers of gradation in the pigment on the exterior of t...
Resin, Plaster
Tall Citron Yellow Baluster Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary take on the traditional baluster jar puts all the focus on its timeless silhouette. Characterized by its high shoulders, flared base and domed lid, the elegant balu...
Porcelain
$741 / item
H 14.18 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in
Gabo Vase CS7 - Sculptural Minimalist Design in Copper and Steel by Noom
By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
Gabo vase, one of the vases from the "Suprematic" collection. Collection inspired by the geometric works of the great Suprematist Kazimir Malevich. Suprematism is a modernist moveme...
Copper, Steel
$595
H 5.25 in W 13 in D 7.5 in
English Brass & Copper Repoussé Footed Cachepot Planter Eagle Handles, c. 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique English brass and copper footed jardiniere / planter / cachepot, circa 1920. Maker's mark on reverse. This fine pot is handcrafted of copper with a brass repoussé ...
Brass, Copper
Antique Intricately Decorated Vase in Hand Chased Copper
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Intricately Decorated Vase / Spittoon in Hand Chased Copper This wonderful antique vase has a round base and a tapered trumpet shape. It is made in copper, and shows beautif...
Copper
Wheel Thrown Moon Jar by Jason Fox
By Jason Fox Ceramics
Located in Burbank, CA
Wheel Thrown Moon Jar by Jason Fox. Largely influenced by Korean Pottery, American contemporary ceramic artist Jason Fox pays respect to the rich history of Moon Jars with this pi...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Contemporary Round Marbled Yangtze Vase in Pink by Elyse Graham
By Elyse Graham
Located in Springfield, OR
Our Hydro collection is inspired by the grooves and patterns that waterways make through the landscape as seen from above. The layers of gradation in the pigment on the exterior of t...
Resin, Plaster
Terracotta Moon Jar No 9 by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracotta Moon Jar No 9 by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 14 x H 18 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Local Terracotta Clay from the Island of Crete Growing up in Greec...
Clay
Terracotta Coiled Moon Jar by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracotta Coiled Moon Jar by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 23 x H 27 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware, Earthenware Available finishes: Experimental Glazes, e...
Earthenware, Stoneware
Black and White Textured Moon Jar
By April Johnston
Located in Van Nuys, CA
matte vintage white on top, textured Black on bottom Not intended for water —an artful homage to the traditional Japanese wood-burning technique. This hand-coiled piece from our ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Hokkaido Repousse Vase in Patinated Brass, by Vikram Goyal
By Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Hokkaido Repousse Vase in Patinated Brass, by Vikram Goyal "Repoussé involves hammering low-relief designs into malleable metal sheets from the reverse that originated around the 3r...
Brass
Mila Peking Glass Tall Ginger Jar with Lid by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall ginger jar with lid Mila Peking glass Hand carved Limited edition Robert Kuo glass pieces are made from the traditional Peking glass techni...
Blown Glass, Glass
Bon Bud Crystal Vase, Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crystal vase Crystal Hand carved Limited edition Inclusions and varies.
Crystal
Sold
H 7.75 in W 9.5 in D 9.75 in
12 Facet Jarlet, Mila Peking Glass by Robert Kuo, Hand Blown Glass, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
12 Facet Jarlet Mila Peking glass Hand blown glass Hand carved Limited Edition Measures: 6" top diameter x 9.5" W x 9.75" D x 7.75" H. Peking glass refers to the high-qualit...
Blown Glass
Robert Kuo Modern Cloisonne Lidded Baluster Jar
By Robert Kuo
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern cloisonne baluster jar with lid designed by Robert Kuo in an Art Deco Revival style. The piece is signed on the bottom and is in great condition.
Enamel