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 Six Petal Tray in Cream Lacquer and Antiqued Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six Petal Tray Antiqued Copper Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This te...
Copper
Antique Persian Copper Tray Table with Moorish Design, 1940
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Persian style copper tinned silver tray on folding Stand. Amazing finely hand etched very fine intricate floral work designs on tray, sits on a b...
Metal
$1,485 / item
H 2 in W 12 in D 18 in
Rectangle Cosmos Tray in Cream Shagreen, Shell 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 ...
Brass
Cream Shagreen Tray 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 tray comes in two sizes and two color variants. This listing is for the medium size in cream shagreen...
Brass
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays 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 skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...
Brass
$1,661 / item
H 2.49 in Dm 19.1 in
Circular Cosmos Tray in Cream Shagreen, White Shell 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 ...
Brass
$2,310 / item
H 2.55 in W 11.41 in D 20.07 in
Oval Tray in Cream Shagreen with Bronze-Patina Brass 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 ...
Brass
$2,970 / item
H 2.36 in W 11.81 in D 17.71 in
Rectangular Tray in in Cream Shagreen with Bronze-Patina Brass 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 ...
Quartz, Brass
$1,245
H 1.5 in W 20.5 in D 12.25 in
Art Deco Eglomise Cubist Graphic Geometric Motif Tray w/ Cream Lacquered Border
Located in New York, NY
The Art Deco tray, created circa 1935, is a striking encapsulation of the era’s fascination with bold geometric forms and modern elegance. Featuring an églomisé cubist graphic motif,...
Lacquer
Pair of Antique Japanese Lacquer Trays
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of antique Japanese Lacquer Trays, Taisho period (1912-1926) beautifully decorated with a miniature landscape of pea pods on the vine and a gold cricket set...
Lacquer
Antique Islamic Mughal Copper Metal Tray Oversized
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large metal copper tray overlaid with Islamic Coranic Calligraphy. Antique oversized Islamic Mughal Style Rectangular Copper Metal Tray. Large Moorish Mughal Raj rectangular brass an...
Metal, Copper, Bronze
Antique Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Tray Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
This oval tray table is a 19th-century decorative piece comprised of a tray and a separate custom-built stand. The tray is crafted from papier-mâché, with a black lacquer finish and ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer
Antique Mughal Tray Table, Brass & Copper, Islamic Calligraphy, 1920
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Brass Copper Tray Inlaid with Islamic Koranic Calligraphy. Antique Islamic Mughal Style Rectangular Copper Metal Tray table. Large Moorish Mughal Raj rectangular brass and copper tra...
Copper