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.
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Floral Vase with Brass Trim
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table, shelf, or buffet with this vibrant cloisonné enamel vase, crafted in China circa 1980. The elegant baluster form is richly decorated with blooming lotus flowers and...
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Floral Motifs on Wooden Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or a buffet with this colorful baluster vase. Created in China circa 1980, the vase sits on a carved ebonized wood stand and features floral motifs in the cloisonné ...
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Made Floral Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonné Vases is the perfect decor piece. with beautiful floral design, it is a majestically hand crafted work of art that is sure to capture every...
Copper
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Floral Vase with Brass Rim
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table, mantel, or buffet with this elegant vintage Chinese cloisonné vase, crafted in a classic baluster form and richly decorated with intricate floral motifs. The surfac...
Multi-gemstone, Brass
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 11 in Dm 4 in
Chinese Bronze Vase with Enameled Floral Design & Dragon Handles 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Chinese Bronze Vase with Enameled Floral Design, Elongated Neck & Flanking Dragon Handles, 20thC Measures - 11"H x 4"W x 4"D A striking Chinese bronze vase from the 20th century, fea...
Bronze
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 10 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Floral Vase with Peony & Wood Base c1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Floral Vase with Peony & Wood Base c1930. Dimensions - 10" x 4 1/8" x 4 1/8". A beautifully crafted antique Chinese cloisonné vase from circa 1930,...
Metal
$280Sale Price|20% Off
H 5 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
Antique Cloisonne Enameled Cabinet Vase with Garden Flowers Early 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Cloisonne Enameled Cabinet Vase with Garden Flowers, Early 20thC. 4 7/8" x 2 1/4" x 2 1/4". A beautifully crafted antique cloisonné enameled cabinet vase from the early...
Metal, Enamel
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Floral Cloud Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne enamel vase with floral motifs and butterflies on a white and dark blue ground featuring a fine and collectible piece of Japanese artistry....
Enamel
$2,931
H 31.5 in Dm 13 in
Antique Japanese Cloisonné vase Meiji period, enamel decoration, 19. Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Huge Antique Japanese Cloisonné floor vase Meiji period with enamel decoration, 19. Century Antique Japanese Cloisonné vase from the Meiji period shows a detailed polychrome enamel ...
Metal
Chinese Cloisonne Floral Enameled Vase 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Chinese Cloisonne Floral Enameled Vase 20thC Measures - 8.25"H x 4.5"W x 4.5"D
Enamel
Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Brass Thousand Flowers Brush Bowl & Elm Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese enameled brass brush bowl featuring a thousand flowers floral theme paired with a carved elm wood stand. Dimensions: 8" x 2.75" / Stand - 6.75" x 2.25" (Diameter x H...
Enamel
Antique Japanese Bronze Champleve Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Mantel Vase Urn 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite antique Japanese bronze champlevé and cloisonné enamel vase with dragon handles. It features decorative patterns of lotus and chrysanthemum flowers, vines, and dragons. Mad...
Bronze
Antique Japanese Champleve Bronze Flower Vase Urn Pegasus Butterfly Cloisonné
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century Japanese Bronze Champleve Flower Vase or Urn. Features a colorful champleve design of Pegasus's and butterflies between engraved bronze motifs. Marked Made in Japa...
Bronze, Enamel
Maitland Smith Chinoiserie Blue & Brown Floral Porcelain Mantel Vase Urn 15"
By Maitland Smith
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century porcelain vase / urn by Maitland Smith. Features round panels of chinoiserie floral designs, framed in a background of speckled brown and a pattern of spirals aroun...
Porcelain
Maitland Smith Red Floral Chinese Cloisonne Mantel Vase Urn 12"
By Maitland Smith
Located in Dayton, OH
Large late 20th century Maitland Smith cloisonné flower vase - red enamel on brass featuring a design of pink / purple flowers.. Turquoise blue interior. Hand Made in China. Dimens...
Metal
6 Chinese Brass Cloisonne Enameled Floral Vases Brush Bowls Ashtray Dishes
Located in Dayton, OH
Six vintage Chinese cloisonné enamel vases, bowls / ashtrays, and vases featuring a variety of style and patterns, including cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, peonies, and birds. Eac...
Metal, Brass
