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 Lacquered Repoussé Pig Seat in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pig Seat Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Metal Base Contemporary Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made ...
Metal
Tessa Bench, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tessa bench Antiqued copper Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief o...
Copper
Contemporary Brass and Lacquer Root Bench by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Root Design bench bases with lacquer top Brass Hand Repoussé Black or Cream Lacquer Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the t...
Brass
Long Woodgrain Bench - Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Long woodgrain bench Antique copper Hand repoussé Wood base Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The techniqu...
Copper
Woodgrain with Lacquer Bench by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Woodgrain with lacquer bench Antique copper Black lacquer Hand repousse Limited Edition Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. T...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Bao Seat in Brass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bao Seat Brass Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated around ...
Brass
Contemporary "Yi" Bench in Red Bean Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yi Bench Red Bean Lacquer Hand Repoussé Metal Base Contemporary Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces...
Metal
Contemporary Bean-Shape Bench in Antiqued Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bean Shape Bench Dark Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Copper Base Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of ha...
Copper
$8,300 / item
H 16.93 in W 82.68 in D 19.69 in
Horizon Bench by RAIN, Contemporary Bench, Solid Wood and Plywood, Limited
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This contemporary bench shows that perspective is a visual illusion that gives the notion of depth to an image. The Horizon bench has its shape drawn fro...
Wood, Plywood
1980s Limited Edition Black Lacquer and Copper Table by Robert Kuo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Limited edition lacquer and repousse' table/ bench by Robert Kuo for Maguire.
Copper
1960s Organic Bench
Located in New York, NY
1960s organic bench. Solid walnut bench with dovetails. Can also be used as a coffee table.
Walnut
$7,749 / item
H 19.69 in W 55.52 in D 18.51 in
Limited Edition Victoria Bench in Black Velvet & Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The limited edition Victoria bench...
Brass
Limited Edition Italian Two-Tier Brown Wood Bench With Brass Legs
Located in Plainview, NY
A limited edition contemporary studio made Italian bench of brown oak veneer with upturned sides with two tiers, the top with a removable pale mustard and brown flecked chenille cush...
Wood
$2,895
H 25 in W 43 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Coffee Table Bench Window Seat Marble Top Oak Renaissance Revival
Located in Tyler, TX
UNIQUE Carved Oak French Renaissance Revival Coffee Table, Bench or Window Seat/Settee with Grey Marble Top~~c. 1900-1920s Beautifully carved "scroll" accents on sides and stretche...
Marble
$5,379Sale Price|36% Off
H 19.69 in W 13.78 in D 54.34 in
Acacia Bench in Cream Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Acacia bench makes for a dramatic statement piece in any space. The rectangle-shaped cream shagreen top sits on a pair of organic shaped legs in bronz...
Brass
A Primitive 19th Century Elm Pig Bench Seat 5ft Long
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A rare, characterful 19th century elm pig bench with beautiful texture, honest wear and the kind of patina you simply can’t replicate – an instant focal point for layered, lived-in i...
Wood, Ash, Elm
$7,130 / item
H 18 in W 36 in D 18 in
Limited Edition Contemporary Bench in Carved Walnut, Brass and Leather
By Vincent Pocsik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited edition custom Ombre finish bench 001 from Series 001 by Vincent Pocsik. Carved walnut bench with leather cushion top and brass a...
Brass
Rare Early Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice solid walnut bench or coffee table by Risom.
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 50 in D 18 in
Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Inspired Bench with Hand Painted Gold Accents
Located in North York, ON
Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Inspired bench with hand painted gold accents. American, 1980's. Featuring violet velvet with soft gold toned piping. Woo...
Velvet, Wood
$2,520 / item
H 33.08 in W 59.06 in D 19.3 in
State Bench Settee with Lacquered Metal and Multicolor Fabric 2 Seater
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Elegant and light piece that is comfortable and versatile, upholstery in velvet (several options) and metal or brass/copper structure. Made to Order. For sales with delivery addres...
Metal
Hand Repoussé Antiqued Copper Rabbit Garden Seat by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Garden Seat Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Garden Sculpture/Furniture Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tradition...
Copper
Contemporary Crystal Bench by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 Bench Crystal Hand Carved Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Crystal inclusions vary Robert Kuo Crystal is carved using jad...
Crystal
Sold
H 15 in W 60 in D 14 in
Stone Marble Bench with Square Bases by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stone bench with square bases Stone Han Bai Yu marble (White Marble) Hand carved Limited edition Hand carved stone bench with square base...
Marble
Woodgrain Design Bench, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Woodgrain Design Bench Antique copper Hand Repousse Wood base Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hamme...
Copper
Sold
H 18 in W 72 in D 13.75 in
Bench with Pillow Design Bases in Black Lacquer Top and Copper Bases, Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bench with pillow design bases Antique copper Black lacquer top (80 coats of lacquer) with copper bases Hand repousse Limited edition L...
Copper
Dragon Bench, Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dragon bench Brass Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated around 800 BC ...
Brass
Crystal Low Bench by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crystal low bench Crystal Hand carved 3 separate pieces Customizable.
Crystal
"U" Shaped Bench Brass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"U" shaped bench Brass Hand repoussé Wood base Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originate...
Brass
Lotus Leaf Bench by Robert Kuo, Antique Copper, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf design bench Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique origin...
Copper