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.
Walking Floor Lamp Brushed Brass by Zhipeng Tan
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tan’s practice, since graduating from the China Academy of Art, has been focused on the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. This ancient foundry process has created an intersectio...
Brass
$18,000 / item
H 74.81 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Walking Floor Lamp Polished or Matte Brass Gold Lighting Customizable
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The walking floor lamp can also be used as a sculpture or an accent piece in the interior. It is handmade by renowned Chinese artist Zhipeng Tan and can be customized in size and col...
Brass
$5,637 / item
H 59.06 in W 10.44 in D 13.78 in
Sculptural Floor Lamp with Bronze-Patina Brass and Shell Inlay 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
$7,650 / item
H 70.79 in W 17.33 in D 20.2 in
Sculptural Floor Lamp with Bronze-Patina Brass and Shell Inlay 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 Cosmo sky floor lamp...
Brass
Hand-Crafted Italian Floor Lamp, Gold Leaf Petals, Modern Design, 2010
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6899 - Italian floor lamp with gold leaf petals : suitable for any environment, modern or antique. It is not necessary to change the power supply, but als...
Cut Steel
A bespoken Stiffel brass lamp with a lotus design base
By Stiffel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A quite dramatic tall table lamp made by Stiffel lamps USA circa 1960s. Brass construction with a single socket on candlestick-style enamel tubular stand set in a petaled lotus flowe...
Brass, Enamel
$1,982Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.31 in W 23.23 in D 21.66 in
Waterlily Table Lamp in Vintage Brass Finish
Located in Paris, FR
Table lamp waterlily in vintage polished brass finish, on black base. Three bulbs lamp holder type E14, maximum 40 watt. Bulbs not included.
Brass
$11,163 / item
H 50.4 in W 21.26 in D 17.72 in
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Floor Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Floor Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 54 x D 45 x H 128 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each countr...
Brass, Bronze
$3,000
H 19.75 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
1980s Artisan Designed Brass Sculptural Lotus or Agave Form Table Lamp Torchiere
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique and one of a kind, handcrafted in the 1980s, this brass sculptural plant form Aloe, Agave or Lotus Torchiere table lamp, made by the hands of a...
Brass
$7,670
H 64.97 in Dm 19.69 in
1970s Floor Lamp with Large Brass Leaves by Carlo Giorgi for Bottega Gadda
By Carlo Giorgi
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful floor lamp produced between the 70s and 80s in Italy by Bottega Gadda and designed by Carlo Giorgi. Three thin stems emerge from a brass-plated metal sphere...
Brass
Contemporary Cream Lacquer Torchiere by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Torchiere Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Lacquered Metal Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at...
Metal
Baluster Floor Lamp, Moss/Webb Design Cloisonné by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baluster floor lamp Moss/Webb design Cloisonné Handmade Silk shade Limited edition The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique ...
Enamel
Contemporary Cloisonné Baluster Lamp in Moss by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baluster Lamp Cloisonne Moss Glass Enamel Cloisonné Metal Contemporary The cloisonné technique is an enameling on metal technique that dates b...
Gold Plate, Copper, Enamel
Contemporary 24K Gold Plated Repoussé Table Lamp by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo Table Lamp 24K Gold Plated Copper Base Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Linen Shade Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-ha...
Gold Plate, Copper
Contemporary Black Lacquer Torchiere by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Torchiere Black Lacquer Hand Repoussé Lacquered Metal Limited Edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These pieces are made with at...
Metal
Contemporary "O" Table Lamp in 24K Gold Plate by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"O" Table Lamp 24K Gold Plated Hand Repoussé Copper Base Limited Edition Natural Silk Pongee Shade Wired with US plug Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative r...
Gold, Copper
