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 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 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
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
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
Strike Full Length Mirror by Matteo Cibic
By Scarlet Splendour, Matteo Cibic
Located in Kolkata, IN
Strike Full Length Mirror by Matteo Cibic is a tall mirror with a Classic vanilla noir border. India's handicrafts are as multifarious as its cultures, and as rich as its history. T...
Resin
Lighted Art Deco Style Vanity Mirror or Wall Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
A delightful vanity or wall mirror featuring multicolored buttons and a faux leather frame. The mirror has a lighted milk glass frame that is wired. The faux leather shows beautiful ...
Faux Leather, Milk Glass
$4,356 / 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
$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
$2,767 / item
H 24.41 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Modern Wall Mirror Lake 4 Numbered Edition with Onyx Base by Noom
By NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
"Lakes" is a nature-inspired collection of sculptural mirrors designed by French designers Maryna Dague and Nathan Baraness. The collection takes its name from the shorelines of lake...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainle...
$2,166 / item
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Modern Wall Mirror Lake 3 with Burned Steel Base and Copper Tint Mirror by Noom
By NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
"Lakes" is a nature-inspired collection of sculptural mirrors designed by French designers Maryna Dague and Nathan Baraness. The collection takes its name from the shorelines of lakes and aerial views of their sinuous shapes, represented in the design. The designers have emphasized the contrast between the fluid shapes of the glass and the straight lines of the mirrors' supports, made of slabs of wood, brass, oxidized copper, marble, onyx, and other attractive materials. The collection features five designs, including a floor mirror. Brand: NOOM Designers: Maryna Dague ; Nathan Baraness Type of mirrors: Optiwhite, black tint mirror, copper tint mirror Materials for base: Veneered wood, Madrona wood veneer, Burned steel, Stainless steel / Hand brushed stainless steel, Brushed brass, Brushed copper, Oxidized copper, Black marble Alanya, Travertino Chiaro Classic, White marble Statuario, Green marble Verde...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainle...
ClassiCon Cypris Round Mirror in Brass by Nina Mair
By Nina Mair
Located in New York, NY
The round Cypris mirror with its generous diameter complements the Cypris series, which resulted from a cooperation between ClassiCon and Austrian architect Nina Mair. The depth of t...
Glass
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
ClassiCon Cypris Square Mirror in Brass by Nina Mair
By Nina Mair
Located in New York, NY
With the Cypris mirror, Austrian architect Nina Mair designed a mirror that is reminiscent of 1950s elegance with its harmoniously shaped radii and brass as a material – and yet it i...
Glass
Small Alice Mirror by Slow Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small alice mirror by Slow Design Dimensions: Diameter 35 cm Materials: Glass. Moss green/blue/gold oxidation effect on the clear mirror. Technique: G...
Mirror
Vintage Full Length Dressing Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage mirror features a stylish Asian motif, gold leaf finish, faux bamboo frame, and pivots neatly in it's sturdy four leg frame....
Faux Bamboo, Mirror
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
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