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.
Robert Kuo Repousse Curve Desk Table in Antique Copper and Black Lacquer
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Repoussé Curve Desk Antique Copper Hand Repousse Black Lacquer Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This technique ...
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
$4,485 / item
H 30 in W 60 in D 24 in
Stash Desk lacquer & walnut , lacquer drawers, lacquer and wood desk, waterfall
Located in Ridgewood, NY
A Minimalist’s dream, the stash desk is a perfect combination of deep, rich walnut with a pop of color. Its slim and clean profile is ideal for small spaces...
Wood, Lacquer
$11,067
H 29.53 in W 66.93 in D 31.5 in
Medea Writing Desk in P. Copper Glossy Finish, Lacquered Wood, Italian Design
Located in Pesaro, IT
Medea Writing Desk in P. Copper Glossy Finish, Lacquered Wood, Italian Design DESIGNER: ULTRAMOBILI // MATERIALS: Pearl Copper lacquered wood base // ORIGIN: Italy, 2026 // CONDITIO...
Wood
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Black Lacquered Legs
Located in Madrid, ES
Large desk veneered with dark wood, front with four drawers with gold-colored pulls. Legs of black lacquered metal.
Metal
$1,577
H 9.85 in W 39.38 in D 18.51 in
Briccola-ge Corner Desk and Shelf in solid Oak Wood and black lacquered brackets
By Miki Astori
Located in Milan, Lombardy
“The corner is a piece of home mistreated. A dead end with no way out. In every reality, in every culture, the corner is never dutifully considered”…. So, between the serious and the facetious, Miki Astori explains the project of Briccola-ge, a two- story practical and poetic work plan or small console where to operate in transitory moments. The wall hanging supports are in a mass-colored wooden technical material. The tops are made of solid oak strips with inserts of Briccola Veneziana, the old wooden dolphins...
Oak, Bog Wood
Curved Directors Desk In Walnut, Italy 1940s
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Curved Directors desk in walnut with wooden knob details and hand carved drawers, Italy 1940s. Although the designer and maker are unknown, t...
Brass
$6,934 / item
H 30 in W 59 in D 30 in
Curve Contemporary and Customizable Desk in Walnut Root by Luísa Peixoto
By Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
Curve desk in walnut root. Bespoke / Customizable Identical shapes with different sizes and finishings. All RAL colors available. (mate / half gloss / gloss).
Walnut
Writing Desk in High Gloss Lacquer
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a wonderfully versatile and useful piece of furniture. I personally used it as a desk in our showroom for several years. It is now newly lacquered in high gloss dove white. S...
Wood
Unavailable|$26,000
H 31 in W 65.5 in D 32 in
John Widdicomb for Mastercraft Black Lacquered and Brass Desk
By John Widdicomb, Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
This Classic writing table or desk by John Widdicomb for Mastercraft. Composed of a large black lacquered wood top with canted corners that sits atop a brass frame. Brass legs swoop ...
Brass
French Art Deco curved desk in solid wood
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French Art Deco desk from the 1930s in solid wood and veneer. It features a large curved top, a column of three drawers on the left, and a hinged door opening onto a compartment on t...
Wood
$3,650
H 29.93 in W 43.71 in D 24.41 in
Antique Victorian Writing Table Desk by Edwards & Roberts 19th Century
By Edwards & Roberts
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique Victorian Gonçalo Alves writing table by Edwards & Roberts, Circa 1850 in date. The top is inset with a gold-tooled burgundy leather writing surface abov...
Leather, Hardwood
$5,206 / item
H 30 in W 63 in D 30 in
Curve Contemporary and Customizable Lacquer Desk by Luísa Peixoto
By Luísa Peixoto
Located in PT
Desk in wood lacquer with drawers. Bespoke / Customizable Identical shapes with different sizes and finishings. All RAL colors available. (Mate / Half Gloss / Gloss).
Lacquer