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 Copper Apple Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple Sculpture Antique Copper Dark Antique Copper Hand Repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering...
Copper
Contemporary Cherries Sculpture in Dark Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherries Sculpture Dark Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional...
Copper
Contemporary Red Lacquer and Copper Cherries Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherries Red Lacquer Antique Copper Copper Base Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Hand Made Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This te...
Copper
Contemporary Apple w/ Worm Sculpture in Antique Copper and Brass by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple with worm sculpture Antique copper Brass Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammer...
Brass, Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Copper Grape Sprig Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grape Sprig Sculpture Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Copper Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorat...
Copper
Bell Pepper, Red Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bell pepper Red lacquer Antique copper Hand repousse Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B....
Copper
Two Pieces of Hand Hammered Copper Fruit
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of two pieces of fruit, a gourd and an apple crafted in hand hammered copper with an alluring natural patina. Priced individually. From left to right: Measures: Gourd H 11, D...
Copper
Bronze Patinated Wallnut Decorative Object by Herma de Wit
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Patinated Wallnut Decorative Object by Herma de Wit Limited Edition of 6 + 2 AP pieces. Dimensions: D 12 x W 21 x H 14 cm. Materials: Patinated bronze. Nature, a boundless s...
Bronze
1989 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Concetto Pozzati in Posa
By Concetto Pozzati
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a joyful bronze sculpture multiple art work signed by the well known Italian artist Concetto Pozzati. Title "In posa" This is a multiple of a numbered edition of 1.000 pieces. The pieces were made in 1989 but they can be considered as new cause remained since now stored and packed in the Editor warehouse. Every bronze sculpture is completed with the Editor Certificate, with the number assigned to the piece and the original signature of the author. Concetto Pozzati was born in Padova Italy in 1935. He is living since 1949 in Bologna Italy where he is holder of the chair of Painting at the Accademia of Belle Arti. He has been exhibiting in many internationally events as Bienniale of Venice and Sao Paolo...
Bronze
Bronze Patinated Untitled Decorative Object by Herma de Wit
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Patinated Untitled Decorative Object by Herma de Wit Limited Edition of 2 + 1 AP pieces. Dimensions: D 54 x W 106 x H 50 cm. Materials: Patinated bronze. Nature, a boundless...
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture Fruit Etrange by Perrin & Perrin - Last numbers
By Perrin & Perrin
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture in polished bronze by Perrin & Perrin, French Glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes Measures: H 18 x L 26.5 x l 21.5 cm Limited edition of 8 pieces.
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture Fruit Etrange I by Perrin & Perrin - Last numbers
By Perrin & Perrin
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture in polished bronze by Perrin & Perrin, French Glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes Measures: H 18 x L 26.5 x l 21.5 cm Limited edition of 8 pieces.
Bronze
