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.
Contemporary Black Lacquer Besame Floor Lamp by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Besame Floor Lamp SHADE DIMENSIONS: 24"Top Dia x 26"Bottom Dia x 14 1/2"H Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Lacquered Metal Ivory Silk Shade Limited Edition Each piece is individually cra...
Metal
Contemporary Lotus Pod Torchiere in Repoussé Brass by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus Pod Torchiere Brass Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative...
Brass
Helix Floor Lamp, Black Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Helix floor lamp Black copper Hand repoussé Linen shade Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief on...
Copper
Contemporary Pleats Design Floor Lamp in Copper and Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pleats Design Floor Lamp Silk Pongee Shade (Size: 21" x 22" x 13") Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Black Lacquer Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decor...
Copper
Pillow Floor Lamp, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pillow floor lamp Black lacquer Hand repousse Silk shade (26" diameter) Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates ba...
Lacquer
Contemporary "O" Floor Lamp in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"O" Floor Lamp Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Steel Base Limited Edition Contemporary Natural Silk Shade Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that ...
Lacquer
Baluster Floor Lamp, Moss/Webb Design Cloisonné by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baluster floor lamp Moss/Webb design Cloisonné Handmade Silk shade Limited edition The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique ...
Enamel
Floor Lamp In Teak With Pleated Shade, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish floor lamp from the 1960s in teak with pleated shade. Classic design. — Designer: Dansk Design — Period: 1960s — Materials: Teak, pleated fabric shade — Dimensions: H:160cm D...
Teak
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 26 in D 11 in
Post-Modern Tubular Floor Lamp in Chrome by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Diego, CA
A fantastic post-modern tubular floor lamp in chrome by Robert Sonneman, circa 1970s. The lamp is in good vintage condition with some minor pitting on the base and measures 26"W x 11...
Chrome
Lisbon Brass and Enamel Torchiere
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Magic Mood. Wash your room in warm ambient light with our Lisbon Torchiere. A thick marble base with a polished brass stem and three perforated enamel...
Marble, Enamel, Brass
$1,900
H 72.5 in W 17.75 in D 10.25 in
Brush Stainless Steel Torchiere Floor Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare 1987 Postmodern torchiere floor lamp design by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Constructed of brush stainless steel and charcoal gray steel. In original vintage condition sh...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,475 / set
H 69 in W 15 in D 15 in
Pair 1987 Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Black Torchiere Floor Lamps
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of 1987 Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Black Torchiere Floor Lamps! Both in overall great condition as seen. Message with questions.
Metal, Iron
Robert Sonneman Floor Lamp
By Robert Sonneman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sonneman chrome plated steel floor lamp. Lamp measures 18" wide, 18" deep and 65" high. Base is 10" diameter. We had the shade professionally relined. Shade measures 12" wide, 12" de...
Steel
Contemporary Floor Lamp '8' in Black Terrazzo
By Bentu Design
Located in Paris, IDF
'8' floor lamp in black terrazzo Measures: Ø20 cm × H 177 cm Bulb: E27 LED 3W 100-240V 80Ra 200LM 3000K - Comptable with US electric system. Bentu De...
Concrete
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
$7,995
H 64 in W 18.5 in D 16 in
Limited Edition Rispal 'Praying Mantis Zébrant' Floor Lamp in Zebra Wood
By Rispal
Located in Glendale, CA
Limited edition Rispal 'Praying Mantis Zébrant' floor lamp in zebra wood. The iconic model #14.950 was originally designed in 1950 by François R...
Brass
$2,950 / set
H 69 in Dm 16 in
Pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA 1987
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illuminate your space with this stunning pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, crafted in the USA in 1987. These sleek and modern lamps feature a strik...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$4,800 / item
H 30.32 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Contemporary Japanese Chochin Floor Lamp Limited Edition #1 Zen Washi
By Ryosuke Harashima
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: OBAKE A Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings. Base is made of brass. Limited pattern painted model. Edition of 3+1AP E26,27 light bulb. Available to work with 100-250V. Artist statement In Japan, there is an animist belief that the soul dwells in old tools that have passed a long time and turns into spirits such as "Youkai" or "OBAKE." Its existence lurks in the darkness of everyday life, sometimes causing fear and sometimes entertaining. This lantern is not an old tool, but it is made by the historic "Kojima Shoten", where the 10th generation are craftsmen in Kyoto. It's rare nowadays, and it's a style in which lanterns are made from bamboo bones to assembling papers and painting in one workshop and go. So, I decided to transform the polite crafted Japanese lanterns, which have been run through a traditional history, into a modern and pop style. It's not just OBAKE lurking in the darkness, but an existence who snuggles up to us as a more sophisticated being. These one-eyed OBAKE have a meaningful look that originated in ancient Sanskrit culture. The red-eye "A [a]" is the facial expression that is the first pronunciation to make a sound in Sanskrit, which means "truth" and "spirit of inquiry" at the same time. The blue-eyed "UN [hu?]" expresses the pronunciation to close the sound, and at the same time means "wisdom" and "nirvana." There is also the idea that describing the beginning and end of the universe is represented by considering the "A" and "UN" as a pair. In Asia, it is a common sight to see a pair of guardian statues...
Brass
Pair of Polish Brass Torchiere Floor Lamps by Casella
By Casella Lighting
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of 1970s polish brass torchiere floor lamps by Casella. The lamps have been newly rewired. The lamps have a full r...
Brass
Sold
H 63 in W 21 in D 19 in
Horn Copper Floor Lamp with Raspberry Peking Glass Center by Robert Kuo Handmade
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Horn copper floor lamp with raspberry Peking glass center Black copper Repousse Raspberry Peking glass Hand carved Limited Edition Silk shade (19" x 21" x 14 1/2") Each piece...
Copper
Tree Trunk Floor Lamp, Black Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tree trunk floor lamp Black copper finish Hand Repousse Limited edition Linen shade (24"W x 26" D x 14 1/2" H) Each piece is individually crafted...
Copper
Sold
H 65.75 in W 15.25 in D 13.25 in
Lotus Pod Torchiere, White Bronze by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition, in Stock
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus pod torchiere White bronze Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. ...
Bronze
Helix Floor Lamp in Black Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Danville, CA
Fantastic spiral floor lamp in repousse blackened copper by Robert Kuo. The lamp features a matching double cluster socket and original raw silk shade is in excellent original condit...
Copper
Robert Kuo for McGuire Copper Diva Floor Lamp
By McGuire, Robert Kuo
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sculptural Robert Kuo for McGuire signed copper repousse diva floor lamp. Constructed with a hand-hammered repousse finish having a dramatic flared form on top and bottom. The lamp i...
Brass, Copper