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 Large Rabbit Sculpture in Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Rabbit Sculpture Black Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Copper Base Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. T...
Copper
Contemporary Repoussé Antiqued Copper Sitting Rabbit Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Sculpture (Sitting) Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hamm...
Copper
Elephant, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elephant sculpture Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated a...
Copper
Contemporary Sitting Rabbit Sculpture in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit (Sitting) tabletop sculpture Dark antique copper Hand Repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. R...
Copper
Catfish, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Catfish Black Lacquer Hand Repousse Copper Base 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...
Copper
Contemporary Sheep Sculpture (Female) in Cream lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep Sculpture (Female) Cream Lacquer Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Sculpture has a lacquered body and exposed copper face and feet which can patina ove...
Copper
Contemporary Small Penguin in Black and Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Penguin (Small) Black Lacquer Cream Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Sculpture has a lacquered body and exposed copper beak and feet which can patina...
Copper
Repoussé Black Lacquer Sheep Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep sculpture (Male) Black lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This techniqu...
Copper
Contemporary Sheep Sculpture (Male) in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep Sculpture (Male) Cream Lacquer Antiqued Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal....
Copper
Contemporary Sheep Sculpture (Female) in Black Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep (Female) Black Lacquer Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Contemporary Sculpture has a lacquered body and exposed copper face and feet which can patina over time. R...
Copper
Contemporary Black Lacquer Sea Lion Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sea lion sculpture Black Lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Contemporary Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet met...
Copper
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Water Ox Sculpture in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Water Ox sculpture Antique copper Hand repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the tr...
Copper
Contemporary Rabbit Sculpture in Brass by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Sculpture Brass Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative rel...
Brass
Rhinoceros Sculpture, Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, One of a Kind
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rhinoceros sculpture Antique copper Hand repousse One of a kind Repousse´ is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique originated ...
Copper
Contemporary Penguin Sculpture in Copper and White Bronze by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Penguin sculpture Black copper White bronze Hand repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique i...
Copper
Rabbit, Crystal by Robert Kuo, Hand Carved, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rabbit Crystal Hand carved Crystal inclusions vary Limited Edition.
Crystal
Contemporary Black & Cream Lacquer Penguin w/ Head Down Sculpture by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Penguin w/ head down Black lacquer Crean lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional ar...
Copper
Contemporary Shang Design Carved Frog Sculpture in Crystal by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shang Design Carved Frog Sculpture Crystal Hand Carved Limited Edition Crystal Inclusions Vary Each piece is individually crafted and is unique.
Crystal
Contemporary Lying Down Cat Sculpture in Cream Lacquer and Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cat (Lying Down) Sculpture Cream Lacquer Antiqued Copper Eyes Copper Base Hand Repoussé Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This te...
Copper
Rhino, Limited Edition
By Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Porcelain sculpture of an African rhino with an innovative decoration. This porcelain creation portrays the African rhinoceros, one of the most magnifice...
Porcelain
$300
H 3 in W 4.75 in D 3 in
Black Gesso and Raw Graphite Resin Sculpture of a Pygmy Rabbit by Darla Jackson
By Darla Jackson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Title: Pygmy rabbit. A cast black gesso and raw graphite resin sculpture by Darla Jackson. Date: 2016. Length: ca. 4 3/4 in. Also available in bronze on commission basis ...
Gesso, Resin
Large Robert Hardgrove Abstract Organic Wood Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Large Robert Hardgrove Abstract Organic Hand-Carved Wood Sculpture Offered for sale is a monumental abstract organic hand-carved wooden sculpture signed by the sculptor Robert Harg...
Plywood, Wood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.375 in W 5.5 in D 2 in
Antique Signed Japanese Articulated Crab Sculpture in Copper Jizai Okimono
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique signed Japanese articulated crab sculpture (Jizai OKimono) in copper, circa 1910s. The piece is well detailed and patinated.
Copper
$905 / item
H 8 in Dm 12 in
fferrone Contemporary Abstract Large Black Serving Tray Decorative Sculpture
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
Lift - large size Simple. Elegant. Minimalist. The abstract contemporary black serving tray titled lift will redefine the landscape of your table s...
Steel
Embraced Sculpture, Limited Edition
By Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Porcelain creation depicting Jaime Hayon’s latest creation. A work that speaks about looking after oneself and harmony. Jaime Hayon’s latest creation in porcelain for Lladró is a new character sure to be another resounding success. Ten years after...
Porcelain
Stylized Sitting Cat Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized sitting cat sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the...
Crystal
Lord Shrinathji, Limited Edition
By Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Porcelain sculpture portraying Shrinathji, one of India’s most venerated gods. Shrinathji is a manifestation of Krishna, one of India’s most venerated deities, incarnated in a seven-...
Porcelain
Stylized Sitting Bunny Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized bunny rabbit sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on th...
Crystal
Art Deco Dancer Sculpture in Copper by Henri Lautier Cast by Robert Thew
By Henri Lautier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This listing is for a Classic and striking Art Deco copper sculpture depicting a dancing nude by Henri Lautier who was a French Sculpture. The sculpture stands at approx 12.25 inches tall, 6" wide, and 6" deep. The figure is mounted on a round copper base. The underside of the base is marked with the year 1928 and the initials of the foundry G. Thew, for Robert Garrett Thew. The condition of the piece is very nice, with no damage, and a great patina on the copper which only age will produce. Robert Garrett Thew (1892-1964) was born in Sharon, CT and studied at Syracuse University under Edward Penfield (1866-1925), Walter Biggs...
Copper
Antique Elephant Foot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930 s Elephaant foot
Animal Skin
Sculpture-Screen in Lacquer by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
This important work by Jacques Jarrige blurs the boundary between sculpture and functional design. Composed of four interconnected panels, the hand-painted white lacquered screen ser...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 10.5 in W 20 in D 13 in
Contemporary Hand Repoussé Pig Sculpture in Dark Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pig Sculpture Dark Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Contemporary Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the trad...
Copper
Sold
H 14.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Contemporary Pair of Robert Kuo Metal Cloisonné Monkey Table Sculptures Blue
By Robert Kuo
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic pair of metal cloisonné table sculptures, of two monkeys in chinoiserie vests, by Robert Kuo. In excellent condit...
Metal
Elephant, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repoussé, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elephant sculpture Black Lacquer Hand repoussé Copperbase Limited edition Repousse is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. The technique origina...
Copper
Frog Seat, Black Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Hand Repousse, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Frog seat Mila lacquer Hand repoussé Copper base Limited edition Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang dynasty, circa 1600-1100 B.C. These piec...
Copper
Baby Panda Sculpture, Silver Plate, Contemporary
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand Repoussé Baby Panda sculpture. Silver plate. Copper base. Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet meta...
Copper, Silver