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.
Pleats Design Nesting Table (Set of 3) in Repoussé Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pleats Design Copper Nesting Tables (Set of 3) Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary NESTING TABLE MEASUREMENTS: Large: 30.5"L x 16"D x 24"H Medium: 26. 5"L x 16...
Copper
Corner Nesting Table, Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Set of 2, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Corner nesting table Red lacquer Wood base Limited edition Inner table: 25 1/2" W x 16" D x 20" D x 21" H Inner table: 34" W x 22" D x 26" D x 24...
Lacquer
Nesting Tables w/ Pleats Design in Red Lacquer (Set of 2) by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nesting Tables with Pleats Design Red Lacquer Copper Base Hand Repoussé One of a Kind Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-ham...
Copper
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Corner Nesting Side Table by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Corner nesting tables - Set of 2 Cream Lacquer Wood base Hand made Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dyn...
Wood, Lacquer
Set of Waterfall Red Lacquer Nesting Table by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of waterfall red lacquer nesting tables red lacquer over wood base. A technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B...
Wood, Lacquer
Cintura Nesting Tables (Set of 2) in Brass and Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cintura Nesting Tables with Copper (Set of 2) Brass Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-h...
Brass, Copper
Nesting Tables with Flange Corners, Set of Two, by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nesting table with flange corners Red lacquer Handmade Set of two Limited edition Measures: Large table: 23" W x 16 1/4" D x 23 3/4" H Small table: 17 1/4" W x 16 1/4" D x 20 1/2" H...
Lacquer
$3,295 / set
H 17.72 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Italian Red Marble and Bronze Obelisks "Acanthus", Limited Edition, 2017
Located in Rome, IT
pair of italian marble and bronze obelisks, ACANTHUS , -grand tour collection- produced by Lorenzo Ciompi, 2017 designed, produced and executed directly in exclusivity for COMPENDIO GALLERY on limited edition of 10 all the bronze details was made expressly from a important roman bronzist from original cast model by Bottega Valadier and others neoclassic models-end XVIII° century red levanto italian...
Marble, Bronze
Midcentury Fruitwood Nesting Tables by Heritage, Set of 3
By Heritage Furniture
Located in Doylestown, PA
Midcentury fruitwood nesting tables by Heritage, set of 3. Beautifully crafted tables in near mint condition. The set meticulously fits together with built-in sliding rails which no...
Fruitwood
$1,091Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Set of Postmodern Brass, Steel and Glass Nesting Tables by Romeo Rega, Italy
By Romeo Rega
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. These three tables feature a brass and steel frame with glass tops. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considere...
Brass, Steel
$1,423Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 46.5 in W 60.5 in D 35.5 in
Midcentury Italian Brass and Glass Set of 3 Nesting Tables
By Romeo Rega
Located in Roma, IT
A glamorous set of Nesting Tables made in Italy during the 1970s, composed of 3 tables in three different sizes. the measurements of the biggest are: Height 46.5 cm Width 60.5 cm ...
Brass
Set of 3 French Black Glass and Brass Nesting Tables
By Maison Jansen
Located in Buchanan, NY
This set of three French nesting tables is a beautiful blend of black glass and brass, reflecting the distinctive style of Maison Jansen. Dating back to the 1940s, these tables featu...
Brass
Aldo Tura Lacquered Goatskin Nesting Tables
By Aldo Tura
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Three Chic Lacquered Goatskin Nesting Tables, designed by Aldo Tura, Italy, circa 1930s.
Goatskin, Wood
$5,125 / item
H 15.75 in W 20.48 in D 27.56 in
Peacock Nesting Coffee Table in Cream Shagreen and Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The peacock nesting coffee table...
Brass
$1,883Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 28.75 in D 11.82 in
Fine Set of Five Lacquered and Hand Painted Nesting Tables, Japan, 1920
Located in Brussels, BE
A chinoiserie corner cabinet formed by five small tables and hand painted details. Japan around 1920.
Wood
$9,485 / set
H 23.63 in W 13.78 in D 23.63 in
Melting Nesting Side Table Set of 3 in Shagreen Lemurian & Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The melting nesting side table...
Onyx, Brass
$4,485 / item
H 18.12 in W 16.54 in D 43.31 in
Cosmos Nesting Coffee Table Cream Shagreen & Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The cosmos nesting coffee...
Brass
Set of Eight Chinese Inspired Panels by Robert Crowder
By Robert Crowder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of eight Chinese inspired panels with silver leafed faux bamboo frames. The panels are of a landscape with cherry blossoms and birds. A sin...
Bamboo, Paper
$9,940 / set
H 21.66 in W 13.78 in D 23.63 in
Storm Nesting Side Tables in Cream Shagreen and Black Shell by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Stone
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Square Corner Nesting Tables by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square Corner nesting tables Cream Lacquer Wood base Hand made Limited edition Contemporary Lacquer is a technique that dates back to t...
Wood, Lacquer