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.
Tall Block Web Table Lamp in Fig Color by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall Block Web Table Lamp with Shade Fig Color Cloisonne (Enamel) Hand Repousse Natural Silk Shade Limited Edition The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique...
Enamel
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
Modern Robert Kuo for McGuire Carved Ice Table Lamp - 1 of 2
By Robert Kuo
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Modern Robert Kuo for McGuire Carved Ice Table Lamp - 1 of 2 Available.
Art Glass
Contemporary Antiqued Copper Dong Shan Table Lamp by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shade Size: 18 1/4"Dia x 12 1/8"H Dong Shan Table Lamp Antiqued Copper Copper Metal Hand Repoussé Tan Linen Shade Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. ...
Copper
Bian Hu Table Lamp, Black Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bian Hu table lamp Black lacquer Antique copper Hand respoussé Silk shade Handmade Respoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The techniq...
Copper
Contemporary "O" Table Lamp in 24K Gold Plate by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"O" Table Lamp 24K Gold Plated Hand Repoussé Copper Base Limited Edition Natural Silk Pongee Shade Wired with US plug Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Gold, Copper
Coronet Lamp, Tang Grass Design, Cloisonné by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coronet lamp Tang grass design Cloisonné Glass enamel Handmade Limited edition The cloisonné´ technique is an enamelling on metal technique that d...
Enamel
Contemporary Black Copper Lantern Lamp with Linen Panel by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lantern Lamp Black Copper Hand Repoussé Linen Panel Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative...
Copper
$3,600 / set
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
Tall Cocoon Table Lamp, Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall cocoon table lamp Red lacquer Hand repousse Copper base Silk shade Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to t...
Copper
Buddha Stone Lamp by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Buddha stone lamp by Robert Kuo, hand carved, limited edition Buddha stone lamp Han Bai Yu stone (white marble) Hand carved Silk shade Wood base Limi...
Marble
Pebble Lamp, Black Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pebble lamp Black lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Silk shade Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The techniqu...
Copper
Stone Raised Corner Lamp with Shade in Han Bai Yu by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone raised corner lamp with shade Han Bai Yu Hand carved Copper base Hand repousse Limited edition.
Stone
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Carved Hua Design Lamp by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Hua Design Lamp Cream Lacquer Hand Carved Wood Base Limited Edition Silk Shade Contemporary Lacquer is a laborious and time-consuming process. After it is tapped from the tr...
Silk, Wood, Lacquer
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 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
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
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 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
Contemporary Crystal Falaise Light with Copper Base by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Falaise Light with Repoussé Base Crystal Hand Carved Antiqued Copper Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of ...
Crystal, Copper
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
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 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
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
Vertical Stone Lamp with Shade by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vertical stone lamp with shade Han Bai Yu stone Wood base Hand carved Limited Edition.
Stone
Contemporary Antiqued Copper Zun Table Lamp by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Zun Table Lamp Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Oyster Linen Shade Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering ...
Copper
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
Bell Shape Lamp, Bai Jade Peking Glass by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bell shape lamp Bai Jade Peking glass Hand carved Stainless steel Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and commercial workshops in Beijing during the Ching Dynasty, China 1644-1911. Since then, ‘Peking Glass’ has become synonymous with the Chinese technique of glassmaking. Robert Kuo glass...
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Smoke Crystal Horizontal Facet Lamp by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Horizontal Facet Lamp Smoke Crystal Hand Carved Stainless Steel Base SHADE SIZE: 16"L x 9"D x 9"H Creme Pongee Silk Limited Edition
Crystal, Stainless Steel
Tree Trunk Lamp in Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tree trunk design table lamp Red lacquer Copper base Hand repoussé Silk shade Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These...
Copper
Jie Jarlet Lamp, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jie Jarlet lamp Cream lacquer Hand repousse Copper base Silk shade Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Sh...
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
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
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
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
Three-Tier Faceted Lamp with Stand by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-tier faceted lamp with stand. Hand-carved bai jade peking glass. Hand repoussé copper with antique finish. Natural silk shade. Shade dimensions:...
Copper
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
Cuadra Light by Robert Kuo, Smoke Crystal and Brass, Limited Edition, in Stock
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cuadra light Smoke crystal Hand-carved Brass base Hand repoussé Limited edition Inclusions and shape slightly vary.
Crystal