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.
Qi Seat, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Qi seat Black lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-...
Lacquer
Pong Leg Seat, Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition, In Stock
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pong leg Seat Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited Edition In stock. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique origi...
Copper
Contemporary Black Lacquer Drumstool w/ Waist by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drumstool w/ waist Black lacquer Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, c...
Lacquer
Contemporary Red Lacquer Saddle Seat Drumstool by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Saddle seat drumstool Red lacquer Hand repoussé Metal base Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer color varies. Lacquer is a technique that...
Metal
$1,159 / item
H 18.9 in Dm 18.9 in
Contemporary Toscana Pouf Ottoman, Dedar Beige Chenille, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Toscana Pouf Ottoman, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Toscana pouf embodies the balance between timeless design and contemporary e...
Wood, Chenille, Cotton, Leather, Alpaca, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, ...
$2,581 / item
H 21.66 in Dm 15.75 in
Bombo "T" Pouf/Side Table Designed by Nestor Perkal for Oscar Maschera
By Oscar Maschera, Nestor Perkal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First, there was an encounter between a designer, Nestor Perkal, and the Oscarmaschera company. Then, there was Argentina, his native land. While working with the company on leather ...
Leather
$3,912 / item
H 19.69 in W 21.66 in D 15.75 in
Side Table End Table Glass Crystal Limited Edition Contemporary Italian Design
By Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Ancona, Marche
The side table 'Origami Calcio' is made of extra-clear crystal glass. Each sheet of extra-clear crystal glass is cut and ground with extreme precision, ...
Glass
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
French Ottoman or Stool of Emerald Green Leather on Cabriole Legs
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French ottoman or stool featuring a beautiful upholstered seat of emerald green leather, with brass nail-head trim at the leather's edge. upon a square-shaped serpentine frame...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$966 / item
H 17.33 in W 23.63 in D 14.97 in
Contemporary pi Stool, Ebonised Oak Frame, Natural Danish Cord Seat
By par-avion co.
Located in Norwich, GB
Our iconic pi stool range draws its inspiration from the 20th century modernist idiom, Scandinavian Modern design, Danish furniture, and Japanese aesthetics. ...
Papercord, Wood, Oak
$897 / item
H 17.33 in W 23.63 in D 14.97 in
Contemporary pi Stool, Fumed Oak Frame, Natural Danish Cord Seat
By par-avion co.
Located in Norwich, GB
Our iconic pi stool range draws it's inspiration from the 20th century modernist idiom, Scandinavian Modern design, Danish furniture, and Japanese aesthetics....
Papercord, Oak
$2,016 / item
H 25.6 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Contemporary geometric velvet & chenille Not a Cube ottoman by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Not a Cube is a geometric composition that follows the reductionist tendencies of Minimal Art, emerged in the United States in the mid-1960s. Particularly i...
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
$1,867
H 16.93 in W 22.25 in D 14.38 in
Scandinavian Modern Stool in Beech Wood and Yellow Chenille Seat, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eyecatching Scandinavian Style Beechwood Stool with Mustard Yellow Velvet Upholstery, 1950s New upholstery. This Mid-Century Modernist rectangular stool or small bench was handcrafte...
Wood, Beech, Fabric
$983 / item
H 19.69 in W 20.87 in D 16.54 in
Contemporary geometric upholstered mustard velvet Rock ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Rock is a stool with the same form of the smaller table of the Three Rocks set. The handcrafted upholstery work in velvet involves this unique creation with irregular shapes, turning...
Velvet, Fabric, Wood
$1,173 / item
H 17.33 in W 23.63 in D 14.97 in
Contemporary Pi Stool, Ebonised Oak Frame, Black Danish Cord Seat
By par-avion co.
Located in Norwich, GB
Our iconic pi stool range draws it's inspiration from the 20th century modernist idiom, Scandinavian Modern design, Danish furniture, and Japanese aesthetics....
Papercord, Wood, Oak
$1,855 / item
H 11.82 in Dm 39.38 in
21st Century Verter Turroni Black Fibreglass Coffee Table Seat Outdoor Furniture
By Verter Turroni, Imperfettolab
Located in Longiano, IT
Pillola, round varnished coffee table in fibreglass. Available in different colors and finishes, matte or gloss but also upholstered in leatherette. Designer: Verter Turroni...
Fiberglass
Burtalist "Fish Scale" Inspired Low Drum Stool by Robert Kuo,
By Robert Kuo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Limted edition hand repousse´ Brutalist design "Fish Scale" low drum stool by Robert Kuo. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The ...
Copper
Dian Drum Stool with Brass Trim, Red Lacquer, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dian drum stool. Red lacquer. Brass trim. Hand Repoussé. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. The pieces are made with at least 196...
Brass