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.
Charger - Black Woodgrain Design Cloisonné by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charger Woodgrain design Black Cloisonné Limited edition The cloisonné´ technique is an enameling on metal technique that dates back to the B...
Copper, Enamel
Rectangular Tray, Mediterranean Design by Robert Kuo, Handmade Cloisonne
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular tray Mediterranean design Shades of blue Glass enamel Gold plated copper Cloisonné Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. The cloison...
Copper, Enamel
Contemporary Black Lacquer Tang Design Set of Trays w/ Copper Rims by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tang Design Trays with Copper Rims (Set of 2) Black Lacquer Antiqued Copper Lacquered Copper Metal Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Large: 15 1/4"L X 8 3/4"W X 1 1/2"H Small: 10 1/4"L ...
Copper
Han Bai Yu Stone Elevated Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone elevated tray Han Bai Yu stone (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition Each individual stone vary in inclusions and color. Each piece is ind...
Stone
Round Plates, Set of 3, Green Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round plates (set of 3) Green lacquer Handmade Limited edition Measures: Small 6" diameter x 1 1/2" height Medium: 8 1/2" diameter x 1 1/2" height Large: 10" diameter x 2" heig...
Lacquer
$274Sale Price|38% Off
H 3.35 in Dm 5.91 in
Marselis bowl in ceramic by Nils Thorsson for Aluminia Royal Copenhagen, Denmark
By Royal Copenhagen, Nils Thorsson
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Ceramic cup bowl, model "Marselis", designed by Nils Thorsson for the Danish manufacturer Alumina Royal Copenhagen, in the 1950s. With its modern shape and its pretty, warm and inte...
Ceramic
Russian Gilt Silver and Cloisonné Spoon
Located in Norton, MA
FINE RUSSIAN ENAMELED SPOON Length 4.25 inches, 14.4 grams.
Silver, Enamel
Hand-Painted Decorative Iron Tray - Pink Crab
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring coastal charm to your space with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring a beautifully detailed blue crab design on a soft dusty pink background. Perfect for adding a playful yet...
Iron
$348 / set
H 0.32 in Dm 3.94 in
Coasters Set of 4 Cocktail Green Quartzite Marble Handmade Italy Collectible
By Pieruga Marble, Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Ancona, Marche
Set of 4 coasters in Green Quartzite. Thanks to their shape and size they can be used as exclusive presentation plates for finger food. Dimensions: D ...
Quartz
Hand-Painted Decorative Iron Tray - Giraffe
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring vibrant charm to your decor with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring a giraffe design on a teal blue background. Perfect for adding a playful yet sophisticated touch to coffe...
Iron
Rina Menardi Handmade Ceramic White Lagoon Trays
By Rina Menardi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian handmade ceramic tray in white by Rina Menardi. Can be ordered in different colors. Priced individually. Made to order. Shipping from Europe not included. Measures: Mini $49...
Ceramic
Hand-Painted Ikat Iron Tray - Red Flames
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring artistic flair to your decor with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring a striking Ikat design. Perfect for adding color and character to coffee tables, shelves, or wall displa...
Iron
Hand-Painted Ikat Iron Tray - Black Floral
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring artistic flair to your decor with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring a striking Ikat design. Perfect for adding color and character to coffee tables, shelves, or wall displa...
Iron
Hand-Painted Iron Tray - Persian Blue
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring artistic flair to your decor with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring a striking Persian inspired design. Perfect for adding color and character to coffee tables, shelves, or...
Iron
$283 / item
H 0.79 in Dm 13.78 in
Marble tray, Carrara white Minimalist Tray, Marblelous Ring Tray by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Marblelous Ring Tray is a minimalist style round shaped centerpiece made of treated Carrara marble, manufactured according to traditional methods. Josep Vila Capdevila, head des...
Marble, Carrara Marble
$3,072
H 8.86 in W 5.91 in D 4.34 in
Modernist Design Sterling Silver Coffee Pot Hallmarked in 1976 by J. J. Roberts
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1976 by Jeremy John Roberts, this very handsome, Sterling Silver Coffee Pot or Water Jug, is plain in style, and features a wooden handle and thumbpiece. The ...
Sterling Silver
Two Cloisonné Enamel and Silver Russian Drinking Cups
Located in London, GB
This matching pair of early 20th century Russian drinking cups (or vodka cups, also known as beakers) are made of solid silver. Cylindrical in form, the ...
Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 3 in W 19.5 in D 13.5 in
Han Bai Yu Stone Elevated Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone Elevated Tray Han Bai Yu stone (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition **Please note this marble piece has natural inclusions and imperfecti...
Stone
Set of Six Hand Chased Faux Bois Chargers by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A textural set of six hand chasedCopper faux bois chargers by Robert Kuo. Finished in a soft weathered silver and marked on the underside with his signature (see Image 8).