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.
Copper Lotus Leaf Plate by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf plate 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
Silver Plate Bowl
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant large silver plate bowl for Your table: for desserts or fruit, to prepare a table center piece for Christmas. It's very beautiful ! with a g...
Silver Plate
Vintage 1950s Italian Enamelled Copper Dish
Located in Torquay, GB
Extraordinary vintage 1950s large copper centrepiece dish. Featuring a burst of multicoloured lava bubble with a textured surface. This is a good sized dish, ideal for coffee tables ...
Copper, Enamel
$675
H 17 in Dm 8.5 in
Hand Cut Lead Crystal Tall Pedestal Vase, Compote by Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning ruby red hand cut lead crystal tall pedestal vase, compote created as a work of art by the hands of the finest Czech glass workers. The Caesar Crystal Company in the Czech R...
Crystal
$829
H 2.37 in W 10.24 in D 4.53 in
Handmade Leaf Vide-Poche or Centerpiece in Brass by Cassetti, Italy 1970
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century catchall or centerpiece handcrafted in gilt brass and signed by Renzo Cassetti. This stylish and unique decorative piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s. ...
Brass
Hand Cut Lead Crystal Fruit Bowl by Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co. Czech Republic
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning hand cut lead crystal low fruit bowl created as a work of art by the hands of the finest Czech glass workers. The Caesar Crystal Company in the Czech Republic has been selli...
Crystal
Hand Cut Lead Crystal Fruit Bowl by Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co. Czech Republic.
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning hand cut lead crystal low fruit bowl created as a work of art by the hands of the finest Czech glass workers. The Caesar Crystal Company in the Czech Republic has been selli...
Crystal
Rare Silver Plated Bauhaus Art Deco Shell Bowl by WMF Ikora, Germany 1930s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: silver plated shell element Producer: WMF, Germany (marked with the wmf ikora signature) AGE: 1930s Description: Wonderful art deco element designed and produced ...
Metal
$1,442 / set
H 1.58 in Dm 9.26 in
Set of Four Turquoise Earthenware Vide-Poche / Decorative Plates by Albisola
By Ceramiche di Albisola
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s - 1960s. This set of four catchalls / vide-poches / decorative plates is made in glazed earthenware. These space-inspired plates are hand-made and hand-painted...
Earthenware
Copper Centrepiece / Vide-Poche
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Austria copper centrepiece / Vide-poche.
Brass, Copper
Hand Cut Lead Crystal Fruit Bowl by Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning hand cut lead crystal low fruit bowl created as a work of art by the hands of the finest Czech glass workers. The Caesar Crystal Company in the Czech Republic has been selli...
Crystal
$995
H 20 in Dm 9.5 in
Hand Cut Lead Crystal Tall Pedestal Vase, Compote by Caesar Crystal Bohemiae Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning green hand cut lead crystal tall pedestal vase compote created as a work of art by the hands of the finest Czech glass workers. The Caesar Crystal Company in the Czech Repub...
Crystal
Ceramic Decorative Plate by Giacomo Raimondi for Albisola, Italy
By Ceramiche di Albisola
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Giacomo Raimondi for Albisola, 1960s. The artist worked as an external ceramist with various factories in Albisola. In 1965 he was commissioned to create some dec...
Ceramic