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.
Yellow Banana Ceramic Sculpture, Zanolli Nove Italy, circa 1970
By Rita Zanolli
Located in Firenze, IT
Yellow banana ceramic sculpture Zanolli Nove Italy, circa 1970 Measures: 48 x 15 x 20 cm Conditions: Excellent.
Ceramic
Sculptural Yellow Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp with Brass Accent
Located in Marbella, ES
A striking vintage table lamp crafted from glazed ceramic in a vibrant yellow. Its elegant, sculptural form features a spherical base and elongated neck, creating a balanced and cont...
Ceramic
Seguso Apple Sculpture with Gold Leaf, Italy, 1970s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant Murano glass apple by Seguso, exemplifying the refined artistry of Venetian glassmaking. The piece features a softly rounded form executed in satin-finished, frosted glass...
Art Glass
Red Pepper in bronze by Patrick Laroche
By Laroche
Located in Paris, FR
Chili pepper in polychrome bronze The contemporary work of Patrick Laroche is characterized by colorful and oversized installations. In 2012, he launched a collection entitled "Veget...
Bronze
$295
H 3.75 in W 4 in D 4.25 in
Brass Apple Table Top Sculpture Paperweight Cast Circa 1970s Unlacquered (Korea)
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Round Top, TX
Iconic vintage solid brass apple paperweight, a sculptural Pop Art object distinguished by its substantial weight and timeless form. Crafted in unlacquered brass, the surface has dev...
Brass
Kosta Boda Beans Gold Brown
By Bertil Vallien
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
Beans is a creation by the renowned glass artist Bertil Vallien as an homage to the icon of Swedish glass design, Ingeborg Lundin. The collection is inspired by her well-known glass ...
Crystal
Large Red Chilli Pepper Patinated Bronze Sculpture
By Randi Grantham
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Red Chilli Pepper Artist signed, patinated bronze with black marble (base 8"x8") Randi Grantham was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and now lives in South Florida. He is a sel...
Marble, Bronze
Kosta Boda Berry Tales Amber
By Ellen Ehk Åkesson
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
Ellen Ehk Åkesson is a Swedish glass artist who tells stories of the mysterious forest through her art glass, such as Berry Tales – a bubbling, bulbous berry plucked directly from th...
Crystal
$5,492
H 14.18 in W 12.6 in D 9.85 in
Cerise Gold Ceramics Cherry Golden Fruit Post Modern In Stock
By Giorgio Laveri
Located in Utrecht, NL
Cerise Gold Ceramics Cherry Golden Fruit Post Modern In Stock Giorgio Laveri (1950, Savona) s a distinguished Italian artist, film director, and ceramicist whose work bridges the gap...
Ceramic
Italian Giant Carved Wood and Brass Peach Decorative Sculpture, 1980s
By Studio Italia Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 1980s Italian decorative wood sculpture features an oversized carved peach with a brass stem and leaf. There is no visible maker's signature. Measurements: 6 in diamete...
Metal, Brass
Contemporary Repousse Tomato Sculpture in Dark Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tomato sculpture Dark Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tradition...
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
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 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
Green Apple Lacquer Sculpture w/ Copper Stem by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple Sculpture Green Lacquer Antique Copper Stem Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Can be placed outdoors but copper stem would patina over time. Repoussé is the traditional art of han...
Copper
Apple Sculpture, White Bronze by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Apple white bronze hand repousse Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto she...
Bronze
