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 Copper Fei Tian Wen Design Double Sided 3 Door Buffet by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fei Tian Wen Design Double Sided 3 Door Buffet *6 DOORS IN TOTAL Antique Copper Doors Hand Repoussé Elmwood Lacquered Contemporary Limited Edition...
Copper
A period 2 door Gustavian buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
This period Gustavian two-door buffet dates to circa 1800 and is a refined example of early 19th-century Swedish case furniture. The piece features reeded panel doors and reeded corn...
Wood
Venus 3 -doors Buffet
Located in Pesaro, IT
The Venus sideboard is a bold statement of fiery elegance. With its deep Gradient from Black Blue to Copper hues and sleek, rounded design, it channels the planet’s intense beauty. I...
Wood
$7,500 / item
H 36 in W 84 in D 18 in
Mahogany Traditional Three-Door Buffet Credenza by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is made-to-order traditional mahogany three door buffet or credenza made in the Leighton Hall shop. It features three doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and satinwood and ...
Mahogany
Modern Ravenna 4-Door Buffet with Forged Metal by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ravenna cabinet by Ercole Home has a 4-door front, with Earl Gray finish on oak. Handcut glass mosaic in different shades of gray mirror, pewter, antique pewter, silver, antique...
Cut Glass, Wood
$7,500 / item
H 36 in W 84 in D 18 in
Mahogany Georgian Style Three-Door Buffet Credenza by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is made-to-order traditional mahogany three door buffet or credenza made in the Leighton Hall shop. It features three doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and satinwood and ...
Mahogany
$5,595 / item
H 36 in W 53.5 in D 20 in
Mahogany Georgian Style Two-Door Buffet Credenza by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is made-to-order traditional mahogany two-door buffet or credenza made in the Leighton Hall shop. It features two doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and satinwood and sant...
Mahogany
Custom Made Two Door Buffet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Custom made two door pine buffet with reeded panels. Code: 9135 Dimensions: W: 55" (139.7 cm) H: 31.5" (80 cm) D: 18" (45.7 cm)
Pine
Antique Country French 2-Door Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French 2-Door Buffet features an unusual flair and rendition of the classic! Solid plank top, sides and facade promise enduring durability. The brace of drawers are...
Steel
Rustic Oak Four Door Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A rustic-style oak four-door buffet with radial star-patterned veneer. Its mosaic-inspired doors are accented with Verde Bronze finish hardware. Shown in Dawn Finish Dimensions 68...
Wood
$4,266 / item
H 37.01 in W 70.87 in D 18.12 in
White 4-Door Sideboard Buffet Credenza designed by Eric Gizard in Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This 4-door sideboard is presented here in ash wood and is also available in French oak. No assembly is required from your side, our furniture is fully mounted in our workshop. 2 height-adjustable shelves are supplied with the buffet. To prevent damage during transport, they are positioned at the bottom of the buffet. All you have to do is place them on the cleats (supplied) at the desired height upon delivery. The 4 doors open with a « push & release » pressure on front. 11 standard colors are available. Have a look at our color chart on the last picture. 5 standard lengths are available from 160 cm / 63.0" to 240 cm / 94.5". ÉGÉE COLLECTION This high & large sideboard is part of the ÉGÉE collection, designed by the Parisian designer Eric GIZARD...
Ash, Wood
Oak Four Door Buffet - Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dark oak four-door buffet sideboard with radial star-patterned veneer. Its mosaic-inspired doors are accented with Verde Bronze finish hardware and sits on tapered oak legs. This ...
Wood
72" Midcentury Rosewood Buffet Table by Robert Heritage
Located in Pasadena, TX
72" Midcentury Rosewood Buffet Table by Robert Heritage A rare vintage 72" buffet by Robert Heritage. This table features stainless steel cantilevered legs and a rosewood case wi...
Rosewood
Sold
H 23.24 in W 82.75 in D 22 in
Dragon Swirl 6 Doors Media Cabinet by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dragon swirl 6 doors media cabinet Antique copper Hand Repousse Elmwood Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of ha...
Copper
Four-Door Lantern Buffet by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition, Customizable
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lantern design door. Antique copper. Hand repoussé. Northern elm. Limited Edition. Customizable. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal...
Copper