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 6 Lobed Petal Stand Table in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
6 Lobed petal stand Cream Lacquer Hand Made Metal Base Repoussé Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynas...
Metal
Contemporary 6 Lobed Petal Stand Table in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
6 Lobed petal stand Cream Lacquer Hand Made Metal Base Repoussé Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynas...
Metal
$6,149 / set
H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Park Night Stands in Butter Cream Lacquer by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Park nightstand is the epitome of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring meticulously proportioned dimensions and exceptional detailing that make it an ideal bedside companion. Our f...
Lacquer, Glass
$3,858
H 28.15 in Dm 16.74 in
Tommaso Barbi Octagonal Table Pedestal in Burl Wood and Brass, Italy, 1970
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in Roma, IT
Incredible octagonal pedestal table designed and signed by Tomasso Barbi, this fantastic piece was produced in Italy in the 1970s. This gorgeous column is fully made in briarwood...
Brass
$1,700 / item
H 44 in W 20 in D 15 in
Paper Table, Square, Console Table in Stained Black Finish by UMÉ Studio
By UMÉ Studio
Located in Oakland, CA
Where metal implies sturdiness and calls for strong industrial motifs - the I/ the H, the beam / the cross, the Paper Table is a play on our own sense of balance. It questions the ...
Steel
$1,280 / item
H 16 in W 12 in D 12 in
Round Pedestal Side Table in Rainbow Teakwood Stone by Stephanie Odegard
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
This simple round pedestal stands out when made in the rare and unique Rainbow Teakwood stone. An occasional piece, a side table, or a garden elem...
Stone
Paper Table, Square, in Polished Steel Finish by UMÉ Studio
By UMÉ Studio
Located in Oakland, CA
Where metal implies sturdiness, and calls for strong Industrial motifs - the I/ the H, the beam / the cross, the Paper Table is a play on our own sense of balance. It questions t...
Steel
$1,537
H 19.1 in W 11.7 in D 11.7 in
Rare and Handcrafted Dutch Arts & Crafts Oak End Table, Plant Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Striking and beautifully crafted Dutch Arts & Crafts table with a rich, warm patina. Collectors of high-quality, handcrafted furniture from the Arts & Crafts era will immediately ap...
Oak, Wood
$1,680
H 30.5 in W 16 in D 17 in
Unusual Bauhaus Style Black and Tubular Chrome Table / Stand / Wolfgang Hoffmann
By Wolfgang Hoffmann, Howell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Bauhaus style black and tubular chrome table / stand / attributed to Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell Furniture Company. Great size and propor...
Chrome
19th Century Rococo Baroque Gilt Pedestal Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A 19th century Italian late Baroque elaborately carved giltwood pedestal stand from the estate of legendary American businessman, T. Boone Pickens. Exceptionally executed, exotic...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$2,500 / item
H 36 in W 14 in D 14 in
Modern Pedestal Table by Peter Harrison, Industrial Metal and Black Wood
By Peter Harrison
Located in Middle Grove, NY
The Kalyke pedestal by Peter Harrison is handmade in Upstate New York. A mad frenzy of wood elements form the base of this unique stand. Six layers of structure connect to the seven legs. Levelers in each leg assure that the table can be adjusted to any floor. The pictured wood is dyed black Mahogany. It can be ordered in Maple, Natural Mahogany or Walnut as well. The hardware is all stainless steel...
Stainless Steel
$4,219
H 29.73 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Italian Round Table by Gae Aulenti attr. for Elam in Steel and Wood
By Elam, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Italian round table of Elam production by Gae Aulenti attr. from the 1970s. The table has a chromed steel pedestal frame. Its pedestal is formed by 4 steel tubes that both radiate on...
Metal, Steel
Swedish Style Contemporary Alder-Wood Round Pedestal Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Swedish style contemporary alder-wood round pedestal table. Made to customer’s specifications.
Wood
$1,073
H 17.13 in W 11.75 in D 11.75 in
Rare Viennese Secession Brass Plant Stand with Marble Top Koloman Moser Style
Located in Lisse, NL
Modernist display stand from the turn of the century. This brass Viennese Secession plant stand is in the style of Koloman Moser and it is a beautiful and timeless design. The marb...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 26.25 in Dm 16.25 in
Black Lacquer Side Table with Kuai Trim by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black lacquer side table with Kuai Trim Black lacquer Antique copper Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique th...
Copper