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.
Za Xian Dining Table Base ‘Pair’, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Za Xian dining table base Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Lacquer top on image is not included. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative re...
Copper
Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Large Dining Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A solid oak and steel dining table, perfect for seating 6-10 people comfortably. This version has an antique brass frame finish and an ebonized oak tabletop. White oak, walnut, or ma...
Steel
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
Italian Midcentury Dining Table by Pier Luigi Colli
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant dining table designed by Pier Luigi Colli with finely carved and painted legs decorated with acanthus leaves. Dark red glass top. The same set ...
Wood
Sold|$16,000
H 28.75 in W 69 in D 40.5 in
Style of Angelo Mangiarotti Dining Table Flowing Marble Copper Fluted Base
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A vintage 1980’s marble top dining table with a copper colored iron base in the style of Angelo Mangiarotti. The marble is stunning and the grain seems to flow with movement. The cop...
Marble
Clean Lined Dining Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined dining table, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. It goes from a compact rectangle that measu...
Walnut
Modern White Oak Dining Table by KLEIN
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials - White Oak Wood // Style - Sculptural Modern // Origin - USA // Condition - New, Made to Order The dining table GH is built with solid white oak - its 3” square legs enga...
Wood
$33,118
H 29.53 in W 102.37 in D 47.25 in
Ometto-260 Dining Table with Walnut Base and Rectangular Glass Top by Zanaboni
By Zanaboni
Located in MEDA, IT
Ometto Modern Italian dining table with Canaletto walnut solidwood bases and crystal glass top Measure: Total length cm 260. Please Note: - If the item is to be shipped to the USA,...
Wood
Ebonized Oak and Antique Copper Dining Set
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clean lines and high quality materials are the basis of Stephen Kenn's Inheritance Collection. This simple yet elegant dining set features a solid ebonized oak tabletop with an antiq...
Steel
Dunbar Dining Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully grained walnut dining table with leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table measures 60" diameter and has a 20" leaf.
Leather, Walnut
$12,596
H 28.75 in Dm 53.15 in
Limited Edition Round Dining Table by Andrea Salvetti for Dilmos, Cast Aluminum
By Dilmos Edizioni, Andrea Salvetti
Located in Milan, IT
Palma, designed by Andrea Salvetti for Dilmos Milano, is a limited edition dining table realized entirely in cast aluminium. The tabletop is characterized by a detailed texture of pa...
Aluminum
$54,981 / item
H 29.53 in W 157.49 in D 47.25 in
Fontaine Marble Dining Table, Macassar Ebony, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Art Deco Style Fontaine Marble Dining Table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Fontaine marble dining tab...
Onyx, Quartz, Travertine, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
T/5140-180 Italian Wooden Inlaid Dining Table by Zanaboni
By Zanaboni
Located in MEDA, IT
The T/5140-180 dining table is part of the new Classic collection by Zanaboni: veneered in citronnier and ebony woods, the direction of the veneer is ...
Wood