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.
Half Round Table, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
34" half round table Black lacquer Elm wood handmade Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique th...
Elm, Lacquer
Contemporary Jie Design Demi Lune Table in Antiqued Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jie Design Demi Lune Table Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-ham...
Copper
Tree Trunk Half Round Table, Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tree trunk half round table Brass Hand repousse Limited edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammeri...
Brass
Ji Guan Half Round Table, Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ji Guan half round table Brass Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-...
Brass
Diva Half Round Table, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diva half round table Cream lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circ...
Lacquer
Half Round Table, Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Half round table Red lacquer Handmade Wood base Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that ...
Elm
$1,862
H 16.15 in W 20.48 in D 12.21 in
Small Half Moon Table with Aged Mirror Top in Bronze, Maison Baguès
By Maison Baguès
Located in Paris, FR
Small console of the house Baguès in semicircle with a gilt bronze base. The tray is made of a mirror with an aged black background. The belt and the feet are decorated in a pattern of foliage. Its dates from the 1950s. The House of Baguès...
Bronze
$5,714Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.4 in W 17.72 in D 9.26 in
Art Deco Demi-Lune Console Table in High-Gloss Black Lacquer
Located in Lisbon, PT
Elegant and refined, this demi-lune console table embodies the timeless balance of form, geometry, and understated sophistication associated with the Art Deco aesthetic. Featuring a ...
Chestnut
$13,501
H 21.65 in W 27.56 in D 9.84 in
Murano glass Demilune table in captivating pink and amber hues Italy 1960s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Murano glass Demilune table in captivating pink and amber hues Italy 1960s. This exquisite 1960s Italian Demilune table is crafted from Venetian blown Murano glass and adorned with d...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$5,524Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 23.63 in D 11.62 in
Black Lacquer Demi Lune Console Table, High Gloss Finish
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined demi-lune console table, distinguished by its clean silhouette and exceptional high-gloss black lacquer finish. The semi-circular top rests on three slender, tapered legs, ...
Chestnut
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
Adams Style Demi-Lune Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Adams style demi-lune console table is a refined example of neoclassical elegance, inspired by the late 18th-century designs of Robert Adam. Crafted with timeless balance and pr...
Wood
$4,821 / set
H 33.08 in W 43.31 in D 21.26 in
Pair of Qing Dynasty Black Lacquered Demilune Console Tables Ore Center table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of decorative Chinese Qing dynasty half-round console tables, also known as demilune tables. These tables can be used individually or combined to form a circular center table....
Walnut
18th late Italian half Round console
Located in Ballard, CA
Italian Baroque style walnut demi lune console table from the 18th century, with semi-circular top, carved legs and cross stretcher. this Baroque table or console is in excellent...
Walnut
$1,875 / set
H 30.5 in W 33 in D 12 in
Post Modern Robert Sonneman Demi-Lune Console and Mirror Entry Table
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Postmodern Demi Lune. Uniquely fun and geometric, this wrought iron base adds a graphic and airy layer to any space with the clear glass top. Top is...
Steel
Dutch Oak Demi-lune Console Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th Century Dutch oak demi lune console table. 1830 Internal ref: C
Brass
$5,600 / item
H 32 in W 43 in D 11 in
Long 'Esquisse' Wrought Iron and Cream Parchment Console by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Long 'Esquisse' wrought iron and cream parchment console by Design Frères. Chic handmade natural parchment top paired with a slender blackened wrought...
Wrought Iron
$3,475
H 27 in W 29 in D 14 in
Art Deco Machine Age Demilune Side Table in Polished Chrome & Black Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
This striking Art Deco Machine Age side table encapsulates the bold and streamlined aesthetics of the 1930s. Designed in a demilune (half-moon) shape, the table combines polished chr...
Chrome
Sold
H 33.63 in W 34 in D 17.5 in
Contemporary Tree Trunk Half Round Table in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tree Trunk Half Round Table Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Lacquered Metal Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynast...
Metal
Sold
H 33 in W 42 in D 22.5 in
Contemporary Diva Half Round Table in Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diva half round table Grey Lacquer Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are...
Lacquer
Chrysanthemum Lobed Half Round Table, Grey Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chrysanthemum lobed half round table Grey lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a tec...
Metal
Sold
H 32.5 in W 45 in D 16.5 in
Jie Design Demilune Table, Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jie Design demilune table Cream lacquer Hand repoussé Metal Base Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. The pieces are mad...
Lacquer