Roberto Bellino

An interview...

C. Frébourg: Roberto, what is your background and training?

R. Bellino: I grew up immersed in woodwork and furniture restoration.
My father was a cabinetmaker and my uncle a master gilder.

C.F. How did you learn your trade?

R.B. When I was small, I used to hang out at my father's workshop. I started to
help him out and from the age of 16 worked under his orders.
I then spent two years
working under the supervision of Maitre Matta in Novara in order to perfect
the art of gilding on wood.
When I was 24, I opened my first workshop in Milan.
I carried out restoration work for private clints, restored antiques dealers and built custom
furniture for shops. I also helped form apprentices studying at the Milan School of Cabinetmaking.

C. F. You also worked for the Opera, didn't you?

R.B. That's right. I took part in building a number of the decors
at the Scala in Milan, among others, the Boheme, The Queen of Spades and Electra.
I found the collaboration with so many talented artists fascinating. I also often worked with interior decorators, building decorative elements.
I also took part in the restoration of the Milan Synagogue, in particular
in the gilding of the Aron Ha-Kodesh, the ornamental closet which contains the Torah, a particulary delicate task.

C. F. Why did you leave Milan?

R.B. The art and antique market in France and in particular in Paris are still very
dynamic. Besides, I'd always dreamed of working in France where there are so many different styles and decors. I'm also particulary interested in marquetry.
Recently I've restored a number of Napoleon III pieces which fascinated me.

C.F. Where have you established your workshop, where can people contact you?

R.B. My workshop is in Vitry. As I did in Italy, I continue with my work of restoring antiques for both private clients and dealers, I also collaborate with interior decorators and, of course, restore and sell antiques.