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.
Antique Copper Toad Skin Design Mirror by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Toad skin design mirror Antique copper Hand repousse Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet met...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Red Lacquer San Hu Mirror by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
San Hu Mirror Red Lacquer Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made w...
Metal
Hand Repoussé Antique Copper Feather Design Round Mirror by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Feather Design Round Mirror Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hamm...
Bronze
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Antique Copper Puso Mirror by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Puso Mirror Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorati...
Copper
Robert Kuo Round Metal Mirror
By Robert Kuo
Located in Miami, FL
A round mirror by Robert Kuo. Voluptuous hand repousse fluted design. Beautiful patina on the silver plate.
Metal
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Square Mirror by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square Mirror Cream Lacquer Metal Base Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are ...
Metal
Contemporary Hand Repoussé White Bronze Six Petal Mirror by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six Petal Mirror White Bronze Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Bronze
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Ju Wen Mirror in White Bronze by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ju Wen Round Mirror White Bronze Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief...
Bronze
Contemporary Repousse Trinity Mirror in Brass and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Trinity mirror. Brass. Antique copper. Hand repoussé. Limited edition. Customizable. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relie...
Copper, Brass
Antique Copper Sui Ola Mirror by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sui Ola design. Antique copper. Hand repoussé. Copper base. Limited edition. Customizable. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The ...
Copper
Contemporary Ji Guan Mirror in Hand Repoussé Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ji Guan Mirror Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Copper
Full Length Vanity Mirror with Copper Trim by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Full length vanity mirror with copper trim. Grey lacquer. Antique copper. Hand repousse. Copper base. Limited edition. Lacquer is a technique that dates b...
Copper
$9,500 / set
H 49 in W 22.75 in D 2.5 in
Mirrors, Pair of Tall Gold Leaf Mirrors, Mid-Century Design, Designed by Area ID
By Area ID
Located in New York, NY
Mirrors, pair of tall gold leaf mirrors. Pair of decorative gold leaf mirrors. Handcrafted by a local crafts person in the New York area...
Gold Leaf
Round Metal-Clad Mirror
By Stephen Cavallo
Located in New York, NY
Round metal-clad mirror. 28" diameter with clear mirror in centre. Frame in tin metal clad with slight age look.
Metal, Tin
$5,000 / item
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 7.88 in
Gufram Broken Square Mirror White by Snarkitecture, Limited Edition of 77
By Gufram Furniture, Snarkitecture
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Broken series consists of broken mirror, broken square mirror, and broken bench. Each item is available in three colors: Grey, black (limited edition of ...
Plastic, Rubber
Midcentury Italian Round Metal and Brass Mirror, Italy, 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Hagenbach, DE
A round wall mirror from the 1960s made in Italy. The mirror has a circular metal design. The mirror is in a good vintage condition.
Metal, Aluminum
1970s Whimsical Alarm Clock Wall Mirror by Pilm, Red Lacquered Metal
Located in Stamford, CT
A very unusual and whimsical wall mirror in the shape of an alarm clock red lacquered metal. Made in Italy, marked Pilm.
Metal
$22,000 / set
H 61 in W 39.75 in D 3.5 in
Large Pair of 19th Century French Regence Style Repousse Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French repousse mirrors in the regence style dating from the late 19th century. These impressive mirrors are beautifully made an...
Brass
$4,426 / item
H 72.84 in W 29.53 in D 1.58 in
Wall Full-Length Mirror Curved Design Limited Edition Contemporary Made in Italy
By Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Ancona, Marche
Series of mirrors called 'Livelli' made up of five different mirrors. The idea for these mirror origins from the observation of architectonical landscape models used for representin...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Dutch Brass Ornate Repousse hanging Mirror Hall Cabinet
Located in Den Haag, NL
For sale a ''so called '' Hall Cabinet Antique Dutch faceted mirror cabinet with beautiful frame, brush, gold, copper, Tin, wood, faceted mirrors, beveled mirror. inside the Cabinet...
Brass
Small Lava Mirror by Slow Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small lava mirror by Slow Design Dimensions: Diameter 60 cm Materials: Glass. Technique: Grisaille. Available in sizes medium and large. Lava mirror, made from a subtle work on pigments, with random and unique patterns. The artisanal production process gives our mirrors irregular reflections, similar to antique mirrors, making them suitable for any type of project aiming to ennoble a space. Slow Design is an Italian based company...
Glass
Spanish Sunburst Mirror with Antique Copper Finish
Located in Buchanan, NY
This unusual sunburst mirror captures the beauty and charm of the Spanish countryside. The mirror boasts a unique double layer of radiating leaves, each with its own rich copper plat...
Metal, Copper
Round Spanish Gilt Metal Sunburst Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
A round gilt metal sunburst mirror with long narrow leaves joined closely in the middle and radiating from a solid border. The glass is original and shows sign of age. Spanish 1950's...
Iron
$478Sale Price|65% Off
H 23.63 in W 13.78 in D 1.97 in
Antique Cushion Mirror Repousse Mirror Facet France 19th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Fantastic antique cushion mirror, also known as a repousse mirror, facet-cut mirror from the latter part of the 19th century, circa 1880, also c...
Brass
Contemporary "O" Mirror in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"O" Mirror Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief on...
Copper
Red Lacquer Sui Mirror by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sui mirror Red lacquer Hand repousse copper base Limited edition Hand-hammered copper base with red lacquer coating round hanging mirror. L...
Copper
Six Petal Mirror, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six petal mirror Cream lacquer Hand Repousse Limited edition wall mirror Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100...
Lacquer
Sold
H 23.75 in Dm 42 in
Rounded Mirror with Copper Trim by Robert Kuo, Black Lacquer, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rounded mirror with copper trim. Black lacquer. Antique copper trim. Hand repoussé. Limited edition. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang ...
Copper
Eight-Facet Mirror in Brass
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Kuo eight-facet mirror in brass Hand Repoussé Available in Antique Copper, Cream Lacquer, Black Lacquer Repoussé is the traditional art of ...
Brass