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Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

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.

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Creator: Robert Kuo
Bamboo Leaf Tray in Crystal by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo leaf tray Crystal Hand carved Limited Edition.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Crystal

Double Wall Sui Platter in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double Wall Sui Platter Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a ...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Lacquer

Contemporary Crystal Lotus Leaf Bowl by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf bowl Crystal Hand carved Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Category

2010s Modern Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary Black Copper Bai He Tray by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bai He tray Black copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief o...
Category

2010s Modern Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Contemporary Shallow Bowl in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow Bowl cream Exterior Copper exterior Cream Lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Lotus Leaf Plate, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf plate Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated ar...
Category

2010s Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Round Plates, Set of 3, Green Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Handmade, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round plates (set of 3) Green lacquer Handmade Limited edition Measures: Small 6" diameter x 1 1/2" height Medium: 8 1/2" diameter x 1 1/2" height Large: 10" diameter x 2" heig...
Category

2010s Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Lacquer

Contemporary Nephrite Jade Oblong Cachepot by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oblong Cachepot Nephrite Jade Hand Carved Limited Edition Contemporary Please note: Each individual jade vary in shapes and color Known as the “Stone of Heaven,” Nephrite J...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Jade

Contemporary Black Lacquer Shallow Bowl w/ Copper Rim by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow bowl w/ copper rim Black lacquer Copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Contemporary Ripple Bowl in Red and Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ripple bowl Red Lacquer Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet ...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Copper Lotus Leaf Plate by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lotus leaf plate Antique copper Hand Repoussé Limited edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering d...
Category

2010s Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Contemporary Cream Lacquer Cloud Design Tray by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cloud design tray Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates ...
Category

2010s Modern Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Metal

Shallow Lotus Bowl, Small, Black Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shallow lotus bowl Black crystal Hand carved Limited Edition Crystal shapes and inclusions vary.
Category

2010s Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary High Compote in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High Compote Black 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 16...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Lacquer

Contemporary Large Footed Bowl W/ Copper Rim in Mila Lacquer by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large footed bowl w/ Copper Rim Mila Lacquer Hand Repoussé Copper Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique t...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Copper

Contemporary Black Lacquer 4 Lobed Oblong Oval Tray by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4 lobed oblong oval tray Black lacquer Hand made Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at l...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Lacquer

Carved Pleated Leaf Charger, Dong Shan Jade by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved pleated leaf charger Dong Shan Jade Hand carved Limited edition. Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Jade color, size and inclusions all vary.  
Category

2010s Chinese Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Jade

Contemporary Hand Carved Crystal Flower Plate by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Flower plate Crystal Hand carved Contemporary Limited Edition Each individual crystal vary in shapes and inclusions.
Category

2010s Modern Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

Materials

Crystal

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Previously Available Items
Contemporary Bowl in Bai Jade Peking Glass by Robert Kuo, Hand Blown Glass
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Ghen Bowl, Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
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Category

2010s Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

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By Robert Kuo
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21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Robert Kuo Bowls and Baskets

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Gold

Robert Kuo bowls and baskets for sale on 1stDibs.

Robert Kuo bowls and baskets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of lacquer and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Robert Kuo bowls and baskets, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bowls and baskets by Robert Kuo were created in the modern style in east asia during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Robert Kuo bowls and baskets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $600 and can go as high as $2,700, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,500.

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