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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
"Oak Ring Tray” Oak Minimalist Tray by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The oak ring tray is a minimalist style round shaped centerpiece made of treated Oak, manufactured according to traditional methods.
Oak
$364 / 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
$119 / item
H 1.97 in W 13 in D 8.27 in
Les Ottomans "The Peacock Design" Rectangular Iron Tray by Matthew Williamson
By Les Ottomans, Matthew Williamson
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Renowned British designer Matthew Williamson, known for his bold use of colour and nature-inspired motifs, has created a tabletop and textile collection with Les Ottomans. This colla...
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
$108 / item
H 1.19 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Gaetano Pesce Try-Tray Rectangular Small Light Ruby Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Try-Tray rectangular - Clear ruby, matt turquoise Tray in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear ruby, matt turquoise Dimensions: 31...
Resin
$3,156
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
Marbre Dinner Plates, Green, Marbled, Ceramics, Set of 4
By Louise Roe
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted in Bulgaria, our Marbre collection brings a rustic elegance to any table setting, with its dreamy marbled pattern. Available in Blue, Green and Brown, the Marbre collecti...
Ceramic
$148Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 6.7 in
Contemporary Set of 2 Bread Rim Plates Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Michelangelo Collection is named after a hall of the Borghese Gallery in Rome and evokes the eternal beauty of Renaissance and Baroque art, underlined by the gold finishes. Hand pa...
Gold
Gaetano Pesce Try-Tray Round Large Celestial Blue, Terracotta
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Try Tray round - clear celestial blue, terracotta Tray in hard resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1998 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear celestial blue, terracotta Dimensio...
Resin
Flowers Golden Wood Lacquered Tray
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
There are many trays but very few are as beautiful as this golden lacquered tray elegant with a 40s vibe but at the same time modern and contemporary A unique piece for your table ...
Wood
$2,749 / set
H 0.79 in W 13.78 in D 7.09 in
Set of Three Satin Trays Designed by Chiara Andreatti for Mingardo
By Mingardo, Chiara Andreatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A family of trays covered by copper and brass that wink at Bauhaus period silvers. Available in natural brass top or natural copper top. Octagonal tray 18 x 35 cm. Exagonal tray ...
Satin
$148Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 6.7 in
Contemporary Set of 2 Bread Rim Plates Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
The Dafne collection is named after a hall of the Borghese Gallery in Rome and evokes Renaissance and Baroque art eternal beauty underlined by the gold finishes. Hand crafted in Ital...
Gold
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).