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 Repoussé Antiqued Copper Kuai Design 4 Door Buffet by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kuai Design 4 Door Buffet Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Elmwood Lacquered Shelves and Drawers interior Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative re...
Copper
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
$11,000 / item
H 36 in W 60 in D 18 in
Modern 3-Door Sunburst Antique Mirror Buffet with Bronze Metal by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The sunburst mirrored buffet by Ercole Home has a 3-door front 2 interior compartments, with dark gray lacquer wood finish. Hand cut glass mosaics in antique mirror silver...
Mirror
Grand French Art Deco Five-Door Buffet
Located in North Bergen, NJ
This spectacular five door French Art Deco credenza has silver plaques on each door with a deer motif. The center door opens to reveal draws inside. While the other doors reveal shelfs for plenty of storage. The two tone buffet...
Walnut, Kingwood, Tulipwood
Painted French Buffet Deux Corps with Antique Shutter Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
Assembled by a French artisan, this painted buffet has incorporated two pairs of antique shutter doors into the deux corps (two bodies) constr...
Metal, Iron
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
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
Metz Ebony Buffet with 3 Doors
By Alfonso Marina
Located in London, GB
Contemporary style buffet with three doors eneered with Amara ebony outfitted with tailored bone and antiqued brass fittings.
Brass
$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
$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
$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
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
Three-Door Ribbon Mahogany Buffet
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome three-door buffet veneered in ribbon mahogany with set-back back side sections. The cabinet features diamond matched veneers on the front of...
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
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