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.
(De)Formed Yellow Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
(De)Formed Yellow Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 14 x W 10 x H 41 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 5,5 kg. The subtle lines between formation and deformation A series capturing ...
Glass
Gunnel Sahlin for Kosta boda Sweden yellow glass vase , 1990’s
By Gunnel Sahlin
Located in Delft, NL
Gunnel Sahlin for Kosta boda Sweden yellow glass vase , 1990’s Dimensions: 30 cm Height , 16cm Diameter Material: Glass Color: Yellow , black
Art Glass
Gunnel Sahlin for Kosta boda Sweden yellow glass vase , 1990’s
By Gunnel Sahlin
Located in Delft, NL
Gunnel Sahlin for Kosta boda Sweden yellow glass vase , 1990’s Dimensions: 30 cm Height , 16cm Diameter Material: Glass Color: Yellow , black
Art Glass
Cenedese Large Bright Yellow Vintage Italian Murano Art Glass Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese rare bright yellow vintage midcentury Murano glass vase or vessel, made in Venice, Italy, circa 1970-1990. Particularly striking is the form and large size, this vessel has all the characteristics of hand thrown pottery with the unmistakable look and feel of glass. A fun, funky and bright way to add a touch of bold color / color to your interior, imagine glass like this on open, white...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,011
H 17.33 in Dm 5.52 in
Mendini X Venini vase Acco Yellow Murano Glass, Signed 1997, Made in Italy
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Acco vase in White and Yellow Glass, model 706.70, produced in 1997 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. The Acco vase is the result of Venini’s collabor...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Yellow Ceramic Cylindric Vase by Il Picchio, Italy, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Cylindric vase in yellow ceramic by Il Picchio. Made in Italy in the 1960s. The original signature "Il Picchio Italy" is still visible on the bottom, as s...
Ceramic
Vintage Yellow Vase, Made In Italy By Ceramiche Tadinate
By Bitossi
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Stunning Italian Yellow Vase by Ceramiche Tadinate Add a touch of Italian elegance to your space with this gorgeous tall yellow vase, fea...
Ceramic, Clay
Danish Mid-Century Modern Holmegaard Yellow Glass Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century Modern bottle-shaped yellow & white case glass vase with a long cylindrical neck and a wide, flat rim (Gulvvase by OTTO BRAUER for HOLMEGAARD)
Glass
Honey Yellow Glass Vase by Geoffrey Baxter for Whitefriars, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare cased vax/matte yellow textured glass vase. Diablo Hour Glass shape. Manufactured by Whitefriars in the UK during the 1970s. This design i...
Glass
$5,349
H 1.38 in Dm 8.27 in
Cenedese Large Bright Yellow Vintage Italian Murano Art Glass Lidded Jar or Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese large, tall and rare bright yellow vintage midcentury Murano lidded glass jar, vase or vessel, made in Venice, Italy, circa 1970-1990. Particularly...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Contemporary Urn Shape Vase in Bai Jade Peking Glass by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Urn Shape Vase Bai Jade Peking Glass Hand Blown Glass Hand Carved Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and Commercial workshops in Beijing during the Ching Dynasty, China 1644-1911. Since then, ‘Peking Glass’ has become synonymous with the Chinese technique of glassmaking. Robert Kuo glass...
Glass, Blown Glass
Contemporary Hand Carved Tall Faceted Raspberry Peking Glass Vase by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall Faceted Vase Raspberry Peking Glass Hand Carved Limited Edition Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and commercial workshops in Beijing du...
Blown Glass
Contemporary Tall Gourd Vase in Grey Peking Glass by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall gourd vase. Grey peking glass. Hand carved. Limited Edition Measures: 8"dia x 13"height Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and commercial workshops in Beijing during the Ching Dynasty, China 1644-1911. Since then, ‘Peking Glass’ has become synonymous with the Chinese technique of glassmaking. Robert Kuo glass...
Blown Glass
Contemporary Ten Facet Peking Glass Vase in Red Bean by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ten Facet Vase Red Bean Peking Glass Hand Blown Hand Carved Limited Edition Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial and commercial workshops in B...
Glass, Blown Glass
Contemporary Grey Peking Glass Cylindrical Carved Wave Design Vase by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cylindrical Carved Wave Design Vase Grey Peking Glass Hand Carved Peking Glass Hand Blown Limited Edition Peking glass refers to the high-quality glass art produced by the imperial...
Blown Glass
Fluted Goblet Vase in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fluted Goblet Vase Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Copper Base Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-ha...
Copper
