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.
Chair, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chair Black lacquer Hand Repousse Metal base Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circ...
Lacquer
Chair, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chair Cream lacquer Hand Repousse Metal base Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circ...
Lacquer
Vanity Seat in Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vanity seat. Grey lacquer. Handmade. Wood base. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at least 60 coats of org...
Lacquer
Indented Seat, Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Indented seat Cream lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This technique involve...
Copper
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
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Lacquered Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Chinese Chippendale style lacquered chair. Vintage Chinese Chippendale style chair in a gorgeous green lacquered finish. This Chino...
Wood
$4,970 / item
H 20.87 in W 15.75 in D 21.66 in
Pianist Stool in Cream Shagreen, Palm Wood & Bronze-Patina 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 pianist stool...
Brass
$1,500 / item
H 17.72 in W 23.23 in D 14.57 in
Sculptural Stool with Curved Seat Suar Wood, Burnt Finish, Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural stool with a curved seat. The stool's neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely sculptural and versatile piece. This...
Wood, Fruitwood
$1,736
H 32.68 in W 165.36 in D 20.48 in
Oscar Tusquets, Gaulinetta Chair, Black, Lacquered, LIMITED EDITION
By Oscar Tusquets Blanca
Located in Barcelona, ES
Inspired by Enzo Mari and his Tonietta chair, Oscar Tusquets created an adaptation of his Gaulino: The Gaulinetta. Tusquets’ reduction of the Gaulino armrests generates a sleek mode...
Hide, Ash
$3,200
H 32.5 in W 24 in D 19 in
Sculptural Wrought Iron and Astrakhan Wool 'Arcature' Stool by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural 'Arcature' stool (or side chair) by Design Frères. Wrought iron base with Astrakhan wool seat. Pair available.
Steel
$6,500 / item
H 28 in W 16 in D 16 in
Hall Side Chair in Waxed and Polished Aluminium Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
Minimalist side chair in .25 inch thick aluminium plate, part of solo nine variations at Mondo Cane Gallery in 2011. Digitally cut aluminium plates intersec...
Aluminum
$2,400
H 37.5 in W 18.5 in D 21.5 in
Art Deco Machine Age Skyscraper Style Black Lacquer & Holly Hunt Fabric Chair
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and graphic Art Deco Machine Age side/ desk chair was realized in the United States circa 1935. It features streamlined side; subtly bowed hind legs and tapered front l...
Fabric, Lacquer
Plopp Mini Stool in Polished Copper 'Limited Edition', Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Plopp mini stool in polished copper (Limited Edition), Zieta Dimensions: Height 19.69 in. x diameter 13.78 in. Height 50 cm x diameter 35 cm Material...
Copper
$17,165 / item
H 29 in W 20 in D 28 in
Side Chair Modern Medieval Handmade Horsehair Iron Handwoven Fringe Accent Mane
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
HORSE HAIR CHAIR NO. 1 J.M. Szymanski d. 2017 Contemporary furniture at its finest. Horsehair textile and blackened iron are combined to create an e...
Iron, Steel
$1,736
H 32.68 in W 165.36 in D 20.48 in
Gaulinetta Chair, by Oscar Tusquets, Black, Lacquered, LIMITED EDITION
By Oscar Tusquets Blanca
Located in Barcelona, ES
Inspired by Enzo Mari and his Tonietta chair, Oscar Tusquets created an adaptation of his Gaulino: The Gaulinetta. Tusquets’ reduction of the Gaulino armrests generates a sleek mode...
Hide, Ash
$1,121Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 32 in W 19 in D 16 in
MCM Style Directors Chairs White Chrome Attr Robert Kjer Jakobsen & Virtue Bros
By Virtue Brothers, Robert Kjer Jakobsen
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous pair of MCM a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern Campaign style sling director’s chairs attributed to Robert Kjer Jakobsen for Virtue Brothers. They are in...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.5 in W 23 in D 22 in
Back Rest Chair, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Backrest chair Grey lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. The pieces are made with at least 60...
Lacquer
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