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 Copper Feather Design 4 Door Buffet by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Feather Design 4 Door Buffet Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Elm Wood Lacquered 3 Drawers 2 Shelves (Removable) Touch Latch Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is un...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Repoussé White Bronze Cloud Design Buffet by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cloud Design Buffet White Bronze 4 Door Hand Repoussé Lacquered Wood Push Touch Latch 3 Drawers with Copper Handles 2 Tier Shelves Contemporary Limited Edition Repoussé is the trad...
Bronze
Low Cabinet with Amber Shargreen Cloisonné Panel by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low cabinet with Amber Shargreen panels Amber cloisonné Elmwood Brass panel lining handmade Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. The cloisonné technique is an en...
Enamel
Contemporary Hand Carved Cream Lacquer Cloud Design Buffet by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cloud Design Buffet 4 Doors Cream Lacquer Hand Carved Lacquered Wood Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a laborious and time...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Contemporary Hand Carved Cream Lacquer Floral Design Buffet by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Floral Design Buffet 4 Doors Cream Lacquer Hand Carved Lacquered Wood Push Touch Latch 4 drawers with Copper Handles 2 Tier Removable Shelves Limited Edition Contemporary Each piec...
Wood, Lacquer
$3,795
H 32.13 in W 68 in D 20.13 in
Barbara Barry for Henredon Modern Walnut and Cream Lacquered Sideboard Credenza
By Barbara Barry, Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Barbara Barry for Henredon Philippines, Early 21st Century Walnut, with cream lacquered case, and original brass hardware....
Brass
$7,450 / item
H 36 in W 36 in D 18 in
Modern Chelsea 2-Door Buffet - Forged Metal and Grey Silver Glass by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This chelsea buffet or sideboard by Ercole home has a 2-door front, with Earl Gray Ceruse wood finish on oak. Handcut glass panels in Wispy Gray Silver are on the door surface. Hand-hammered metal framed doors...
Metal
$7,800 / set
H 25.5 in W 76.25 in D 20 in
Florence Knoll Style Credenza with Matching File Cabinet by by Giacomo Buzzitta
By Stow Davis
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful credenza with matching file cabinet designed by Giacomo Buzzittan for Stow Davis. The matching set has Carrara marble tops, black lacquer cabinets with chromed steel bases ...
Marble, Steel
$3,632Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 90 in D 17 in
Imported UK Vintage Mid-Century Modern Long Credenza/Buffet of Robert Heritage
Located in Seattle, WA
Imported UK Vintage Mid-Century Modern long credenza/buffet in the style of Robert Heritage for Archie Shine Furniture. Dimensions. 90 W ; 17 D ; 29 H.
Wood
$19,850Sale Price|60% Off
H 102.5 in W 70.25 in D 24.5 in
Italian Art Nouveau Carved Walnut Credenza Buffet, Vittorio Valabrega
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and large Italian 19th-20th century Art Nouveau carved walnut credenza buffet server by Vittorio Valabrega (1861-1952). The tall finely carved walnut body with twin center doo...
Marble, Silver Plate
$16,000
H 26 in W 96 in D 12 in
Modern Mystic 6-Door Buffet with Forged Metal and White Lacquer by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The mystic buffet or credenza by Ercole home has a 6-door front, with a white lacquer finish on oak. Hand painted glass panels in midnight moon are on the door surface. The decorat...
Cut Glass, Wood
$11,020 / item
H 27.96 in W 71.26 in D 15.75 in
Retro Style Buffet Credenza, Barcode Design in Colored Glass
By Orfeo Quagliata
Located in Naucalpan, Edo de Mex
The Buff-Heyyy is a retro style credenza designed by Orfeo Quagliata in collaboration with Taracea Furniture. An object of fused glass created wit...
Glass, Wood
Patinated Brass Clad Cabinet by Sarreid Spain
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This show stopping Sarried cabinet is the epitome of patinaed brass perfection. I don't know that I have ever seen a more perfect and evenly patinaed piece of brass cabinetry. Pic...
Brass
$7,000
H 46.86 in W 86.62 in D 21.26 in
Spanish Oak Buffet with Carved Panels and Iron Detailing, 1940s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A commanding expression of alpine craftsmanship, this monumental oak buffet marries vernacular strength with sculptural detail. Its façade, composed of deeply recessed geometric pane...
Oak
Norah Buffet by Croft House
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Norah Buffet by Croft House is handmade locally in Los Angeles, California. The unique design of the piece draws its original aesthetic through the com...
Steel
Vintage Black Lacquer Union National Fitted Interior Buffet
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage black lacquer credenza featuring ornate gold chinoiserie detailing along the doors and trim. This Asian-inspired piece, likely from the 1970s or early 1980s, boasts four cabi...
Wood, Lacquer
Dovetail Vinyl Storage Cabinet 3 x 2.5 with Equipment Shelf
By Andrew Forseth, Blake Tovin, Matt Richmond
Located in Nyack, NY
Our Dovetail vinyl storage cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record ...
Brass