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.
Robert Kuo Rock Crystal Table Lamp
By Robert Kuo
Located in Houston, TX
Signed Robert Kuo carved rock crystal table lamp with a gold-plated bronze base and ivory shade.
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Contemporary Cloisonné Conical Table Lamp in Azure Design by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Conical table lamp Azure design Turquoise and blue Cloisonné Hand made Silk shade Limited edition The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique...
Enamel
Contemporary Cloisonné Baluster Lamp in Moss by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baluster Lamp Cloisonne Moss Glass Enamel Cloisonné Metal Contemporary The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique that dates b...
Gold Plate, Copper, Enamel
Hand Carved Crystal Ta Shape Ice Carved w/ Brass Center Lamp by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ta shape ice carved w/ brass center Crystal Hand carved Brass Hand repoussé White pongee silk shade (14" x 16" x 11 1/2"H) Each piece is individuall...
Crystal, Brass
Contemporary Falls Crystal w/ Brass Base Light by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Falls crystal with brass base light Crystal Hand carved Brass base Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Crystal, Brass
Black Lacquer Obelisk Table Lamp w/ White Bronze by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Obelisk table lamp Black lacquer and white bronze Hand repoussé Natural silk shade Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. These pieces are made with at least 60 coat...
Bronze
Contemporary Carved Hua Design Table Lamp in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Hua design table lamp Black lacquer Hand carved Metal base Hand repoussé Limited edition Natural linen shade Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Metal
Rectangular Table Lamp and Shade Set in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular table lamp and shade set Cream Lacquer Metal Base Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates...
Lacquer
Contemporary Cylindrical Alabaster Lamp W/ Copper Kuai Base by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cylindrical Alabaster copper trim lamp w/ Kuai base Alabaster Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique Repoussé is the traditiona...
Alabaster, Copper
Contemporary 24K Gold Plated Oval Fei Tian Wen Lamp by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oval Fei Tian Wen lamp 24K gold plated Hand Repoussé Copper base Natural linen shade Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tradi...
Gold Plate, Copper
Jie Light in Crystal and Copper by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jie light in crystal and copper Hand repousse copper Copper base Hand carved crystal Limited Edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto ...
Crystal
Tall Cocoon Table Lamp, Mila Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall cocoon table lamp Mila lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Measures: Natural silk pongee shade (19" diameter x 12" height) Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the...
Copper
Contemporary Trumpet Alabaster Lamp w/ Fluted Base by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Trumpet Alabaster lamp w/ fluted base Alabaster Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto...
Alabaster, Copper
Contemporary Silver Plated Rocco Cube Table Lamp by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rocco cube table lamp Silver plated Copper base Hand repoussé Limited edition Natural linen shade Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditiona...
Silver Plate, Copper
High Meru Light, Smoke Crystal and Brass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High Meru light Smoke crystal Brass Hand-carved Hand repoussé Limited edition.
Crystal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Cut Crystal Table Lamp, Ebony & Brass Base, Ireland
Located in Malibu, CA
Stunning cut crystal table lamp attributed to Waterford, with ebony wood & brass base. There is ONE lamp available. This lusting is not for a pair. Shown with natural linen & black s...
Crystal, Brass
Bankers Lamp in Black, Brass and Glass by Robert Sonneman, Halogen
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Bankers style table lamp designed by Robert Sonneman, 1980s. Functions perfectly, halogen bulb included. Very few if any signs of use.
Brass, Steel
$3,365 / item
H 27.56 in W 15.75 in D 7.88 in
'Synergy' Table Lamp in Bronze Patina, English, Contemporary Design
By Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
These sculptural contemporary Margit Wittig table lamps are mounted on rectangular slate bases and feature multiple white resin handcrafted cuboids, spheres and semi-circles with org...
Slate, Brass
$1,564Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 17.72 in
Limited Edition Daphine LED Table Lamp in White by Tommaso Cimini in STOCK
By Tommaso Cimini, Lumina
Located in New York, NY
Daphine 45th Anniversary Our icon & masterpiece: Daphine. Back in 1991, Lumina presented a special lamp for the 15th Anniversary with a particular finish, numbered and sold to th...
Metal
Robert Sonneman Steel and Brass Lamp
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Houston, TX
Robert Sonneman steel and brass lamp. Handsome late 20th century steel and brass table lamp or desk lamp by Robert Sonneman. This unusual lamp is geometr...
Brass, Steel
$3,365 / item
H 27.56 in W 15.75 in D 7.88 in
'Synergy' Table Lamp in Green, Contemporary European Design
By Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
These sculptural contemporary Margit Wittig table lamps are mounted on rectangular slate bases and feature multiple white resin handcrafted cuboids, spheres and semi-circles with org...
Slate, Brass
$3,000 / item
H 24 in Dm 14 in
Scholar Rock Lamp, Smoke Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scholar rock lamp Smoke crystal Hand carved Silk shade Lamp shade dimensions: 14" L x 14" D x 11 1/2" H Each piece is individually crafted and...
Crystal
$2,700 / item
H 20 in W 21 in D 10 in
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Twisted Arch Table Lamp by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Twisted arch table lamp Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Natural silk pongee Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tradit...
Lacquer
$2,800 / set
H 36 in W 5 in D 16 in
Pair Hollywood Regency Obelisk Table Lamps by Stiffel Att. to Parzinger
By Stiffel, Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of obelisk form table lamps made by Stiffel, design attributed to Tommi Parzinger. The lamps are both in very good, original, clean and working condition, showing only...
Brass
Contemporary Golden Brass Fold Light by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Fold Light by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 35 x D 9 x H 23 cm Materials: Brass A cast light which appears to have been draped over it's base. A light fitting is captured inside ...
Brass
$4,200
H 19 in W 13.25 in D 6.25 in
Rectangular Table Lamp and Shade Set in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular table lamp and shade set Cream Lacquer Metal Base Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates...
Lacquer
$1,918 / item
H 13.39 in W 13 in D 18.51 in
Natural Random Limited Edition Sand and Nylon Desk Lamp by Hot Wire Extensions
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Random Limited Edition Sand and Nylon Desk Lamp by Hot Wire Extensions Limited edition Materials: Waste SLS 3D nylon powder, Sand from sustainable sources Dimensions: W 33 x ...
Nylon
Pair of Robert Kuo Palais Cloisonne Table Lamps
By Robert Kuo
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Robert Kuo designed cloisonné table lamps with interlocking leaf design comprised of five spheres in graduated size from 2 1/2" to 4 1/2". With hardback shades in a Champagne Linen t...
Metal
Robert Kuo Table Lamp with Ivory Colored Panels and Brass Banding
By Robert Kuo
Located in Stamford, CT
A rectangular form Robert Kuo table lamp with ivory colored panels inside brass banding. With new shade.
Brass
High Meru Light, Crystal and Brass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High Meru light Crystal Brass Hand-carved Hand repoussé Limited edition.
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 15.5 in W 29 in D 11 in
Crystal Fish Shape Lamp, One of a Kind, Hand-Carved Crystal, Silk Shade
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fish shape lamp. Hand-carved crystal base. Natural silk shade. One of a kind.
Robert Kuo Repousse Lamps
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A chic pair of lamps. Made of repousse- hand-hammered copper on Lucite base with 24-karat gold plating. Original silk shades. Original wiring. One is signed.