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 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
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 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
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 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 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 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 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
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
$1,136 / item
H 15.36 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Ekster Metal Vase CS7, Sculptural bold design in Copper and Steel by Noom
By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
Ekster 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 movem...
Copper, Steel
$1,265 / item
H 14.18 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in
Gabo Vase CS7, Sculptural Design in Copper and Steel by Noom, Minimalist
By NOOM, Kateryna Sokolova
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
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
$650Sale Price|45% Off
H 7.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Ando Jubei Green Cloisonné Vase, Meiji Era, Japan, 20th Century
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...
Enamel, Metal
$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
$139 / 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
Waterford Crystal Lidded Jar, Cut Glass, Faceted Design, 5" Diameter
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Malibu, CA
Elegant & finely crafted, this crystal lidded jar showcases the brilliance and clarity characteristics of Waterford's renowned glassmaking tradition. The jar features of faceted ...
Cut Glass
Mid 20th century Pair of Chinese cloisonné lidded ginger jars
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of Chinese cloisonné lidded ginger jars featuring traditional Buddhist decorative symbols on a vibrant yellow ground. They are crafted from a copper base with the fine wire...
Copper
Colorful Black Cloisonné Dragon Ware Jar with Lid - Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite dragon motif cloisonné jar in black with a matching lid. The small chinoiserie jar is made from brass or copper, and encrusted with a cloisonné dragon design. Cloisonné piec...
Metal, Enamel
$3,600
H 15 in W 15 in D 15 in
Jonathan Nesci w/ Robert Pulley Ceramic Stool with Black Coppered Glaze 18/16
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
Coil-built ceramic stool with black coppered glaze. Marked with an engraved bronze label to underside: Jonathan Nesci w/ Robert Pulley 18/16. Designe...
Ceramic
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