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.
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Large Antique Terracotta Jar
Located in Delray Beach, FL
An antique terracotta jar in grand scale ,with beautiful aged patina two side handles, the third one is missing. Good condition even though the ...
Terracotta
$3,600 / set
H 18.5 in Dm 8.5 in
Antique Adriaen Luffneu Delft Blue & White Tall Pierced & Cased Ginger Jars
By Delft
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of fine antique ginger jars, circa 1699-1714) with pierced and cased cartouches and hand painted figural landscapes. Each with a different scene yet maintaining the mountain, la...
Clay
Vintage Asian Cloisonné Lidded Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of exotic elegance to your home with this Vintage Asian Cloisonné Lidded Urn. Featuring intricate enamel work and vibrant floral patterns, this urn is a testament to trad...
Metal, Enamel
Signed Ando Jubei Green Baluster Cloisonné Vase
By Ando Jubei
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful pristine condition Ando Jubei wireless cloisonné vase in baluster form. In his signature green enamel, portraying an intricate arabesque design of a blooming clematis vin...
Metal, Enamel
$363Sale Price|25% Off
H 13 in Dm 9.06 in
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar, Famille Noire, 1930s, 33cm Tall
Located in Glasgow, GB
A 1930s hand-crafted Chinese porcelain ginger jar, also known as a large melon jar for its distinctive, rounded shape. In very good condition for its age and use, this collectible p...
Enamel
$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
Doulton Burslem Antique Oriental Design Porcelain Lidded Jar
By Doulton Burslem
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and rare antique Doulton Burslem porcelain gourd shaped lidded jar decorated in the oriental taste and dating from around 1890. The jar is of squat rounded form standing o...
Porcelain
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
$321Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 6.3 in
1960s Handcrafted Cloisonné Ginger Jar with Chrysanthemum Design
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Large Cloisonné Ginger Jar handcrafted by skilled Chinese artisans in the 1960s. This impressive ginger jar showcases exquisite Chinese cloisonné work. Finely decorated with a s...
Brass, Enamel
Antique Chinese Porcelain Yellow Ground Hu Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Chinese porcelain vase of Hu form decorated with rich enamel colored flowers over yellow glazed ground, with elephant head handles to both sides of the neck, and a large medallion with a Famille Rose landscape over white glazed ground. Circa the early 20th century. Antique Chinese Porcelain Hand...
Porcelain
$138 / item
H 7.88 in W 5.32 in D 3.55 in
Limited Edition Perfume by Allen Jones for Beaux Arts Limited Edition (each)
By Allen Jones
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
We have a small number of these fantastic pieces by the famous English pop artist Allen Jones. They consist of a full bottle of perfume, with a stunning Aluminium sculpture of a sexy...
Metal
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