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 Hand Repoussé Brass Oval Dong Shan Table by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oval Dong Shan Table Antiqued Brass Hand Repoussé Brass Metal Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand...
Brass
Water Lily Table in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Contemporary, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Water lily table Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the...
Copper
Contemporary Cream Lacquer 5 Legged Entry Table by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
5 Legged Entry Table Cream Lacquer Hand Made Hand Repoussé Metal Base Contemporary Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. ...
Lacquer
Le Verre Table with Black Lacquer Top by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Le Verre table with black lacquer top Antique copper Black lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is ...
Copper
Contemporary Mila Lacquer Dong Shan Table by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dong shan table Mila Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa ...
Metal
Cylindrical Storage Drumstool, Antique Copper and Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cylindrical storage Drumstool Antique copper Black lacquer Hand repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. ...
Copper
Contemporary Square Rocco Table in Antique Copper & Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square Rocco Table Black Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This techniq...
Copper
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Oblong Cocktail Table with Brass Trim by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oblong cocktail table with brass side trim Cream lacquer Brass Hand Repoussé Lacquer wood bases Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, cir...
Brass
Diagonal Cascade Side Table, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diagonal Cascade design side table Antique copper Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hamm...
Copper
Drum Table, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drum table Black lacquer handmade Hand repousse Metal base Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are ...
Metal
Copper Wood Grain Top with Brass Base Side Table by Rober Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood grain design copper top. Brass base. Antique copper finish. Hand repoussé. Limited Edition. Customizable. Repoussé is the traditional art o...
Copper, Brass
Contemporary Brancusi Table in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brancusi Table Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition 22"Dia x 24"H Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tradition...
Copper
Cream Lacquer Entry Table Top by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at least 60 coats of organic lacquer. Each layer of lacquer is applied with a curing period of 24 hours in between so that it can dry. Table top only...
Wood, Lacquer
Brass Root Design Cocktail Table Base with Cream Lacquer Top by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass root cocktail table base set w/ cream lacquer top. Hand Repoussé Brass Cream lacquer Hand made Limited edition Contemporary Repoussé...
Brass
Contemporary Rounded Square Drumstool in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rounded square drumstool Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Contemporary 21 1/4"SQ x 15 3/4"H Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These ...
Lacquer
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 Repoussé Hexagonal Table in Antiqued Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hexagonal Table Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Copper Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Copper
Contemporary White Bronze Oval Dong Shan Table by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oval Dong Shan Table White Bronze Hand Repoussé Bronze Metal Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of han...
Bronze
Octagonal Side Table with Brass, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Octagonal side table with brass Antique copper Brass Hand repoussé Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The te...
Brass, Copper
Black Lacquer Entry Table Top by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at least 60 coats of organic lacquer. Each layer of lacquer is applied with a curing period of 24 hours in between so that it can dry. Tabletop only. Base in images not included. Measures: 45" diameter black lacquer entry...
Metal
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
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
Contemporary Brass Rimmed Curved Table w/ Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass rimmed curve table w/ cream lacquer. Hand Repoussé Antiqued Brass Hand Made Lacquer Contemporary Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditiona...
Brass
Contemporary Dong Shan Table in Red Lacquer and Brass by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dong Shan Table w/ Brass Red Lacquer Top Hand Repoussé Brass Contemporary Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal...
Brass
Square Seat with Woodgrain Design, Black Lacquer, Copper, Set of 2 by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square seat with woodgrain design Black lacquer Antique copper Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional ar...
Copper
Pleats Storage Drumstool, Antique Copper and Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pleats storage drumstool Antique copper Black lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditional art of han...
Copper
Contemporary Grey Lacquer Short Pillow Drumstool by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Short pillow drumstool Grey Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty...
Lacquer
Drumstool with Waist, Mila Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drum stool with waist Mila lacquer Hand repousse Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at...
Lacquer
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
Drum Table with Toad Skin Design, Copper and Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drum table with toad skin design Antique copper Black copper Hand repousse Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse...
Copper
Oval Dong Shan Table, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dong Shan table Black lacquer Hand repousse Metal base Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang d...
Lacquer
Le Verre Table with Cream Lacquer Top by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Le Verre table with cream lacquer top Antique copper Cream lacquer Hand repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse´ is the traditiona...
Copper
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