About Us
Every Object Has
a Story
At Van Pruissen Asian Art, finding that story is as important as finding the object itself.
The Gallery
25 Years of Expertise in
East Asian Art
Founded in 2023 and built on more than a quarter century of immersion in East Asian art, the gallery specialises in Japanese art across all periods and disciplines — from the martial culture of the samurai to the refined aesthetics of lacquerware, from porcelain and ceramics to the nouveau art modernity of Japanese art.
At the heart of the gallery are Erwin and Anouk van Pruissen. Erwin's passion for Japan began in childhood — sparked by the 80's Shogun series — and deepened into a professional life shaped by rigorous study and direct market experience. He studied Japanese language and culture at the University of Leiden, gaining formative experience at Sotheby's Amsterdam, Vanderven & Vanderven Oriental Art, and Kunsthaus Lempertz, where he served as Director of Asian Art — institutions that together span the full spectrum of the market, from auction to private dealing to specialist scholarship.
Today, Van Pruissen Asian Art serves a discerning international clientele: private collectors building meaningful collections, institutions seeking works of museum quality, and individuals who have inherited pieces and wish to understand what they hold. The gallery is based in a stately villa in Arnhem and open by appointment. Works are exhibited annually at leading European art fairs, including PAN Amsterdam and BRAFA in Brussels.
Founder & Director, Van Pruissen Asian Art Arnhem, the Netherlands
| Established | February 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Arnhem, NL |
| Visits | By appointment |
| Art Fairs | PAN · BRAFA |
"I deal in everything I find beautiful: porcelain, bronze, lacquerware, swords, armour and helmets."
Erwin van Pruissen — Collect Magazine, February 2026
That long relationship between the Netherlands and Japan is, for Erwin, more than professional context. Between 1641 and 1854, the Dutch maintained the only Western trading post in Japan — a small island off Nagasaki called Deshima — making the Netherlands a unique bridge between Japanese culture and the Western world. For Erwin, it is simply the context in which he has always worked. Building bridges.
Erwin's commitment to Japanese art grew from a lifelong fascination that began in childhood and matured into a rigorous academic path. His studies in Leiden deepened his understanding of Japanese material culture, aesthetics, and history, shaping a perspective that blends connoisseurship with cultural sensitivity. Over the years, he has cultivated a network of specialists, collectors, and institutions, allowing him to navigate the field with both confidence and humility.
In 2023, he founded Van Pruissen Asian Art — a gallery built on decades of research, travel, and close engagement with objects and their histories. The gallery reflects his belief that expertise is not merely accumulated but lived: through handling works, studying archives, and fostering long-term relationships with collectors and scholars. It is a practice grounded in curiosity, integrity, and a genuine desire to share the beauty and complexity of Japanese art with a wider audience.
Anouk van Pruissen brings complementary expertise in research, client relations, and the day-to-day life of the gallery. Together they have built a practice that is as much about scholarship and trust as it is about commerce.
A Historical Connection
The Netherlands &
Japan
Between 1641 and 1854, the Dutch maintained the only Western trading post in Japan — a small island off Nagasaki called Deshima — making the Netherlands a unique bridge between Japanese culture and the Western world.
For Erwin, this centuries-old connection is not merely historical backdrop. It is the context in which he has always worked: as a bridge between East and West, between buyer and seller, between object and meaning.
What We Offer
Services &
Expertise
Beyond buying and selling, the gallery offers a range of advisory services for collectors, estates, and institutions — each drawing on three decades of market experience and scholarly rigour.
Acquisition
Sourcing specific works to complement an existing collection, drawing on an extensive international network of dealers, auction specialists, and private owners. Every acquisition is approached with the same scholarly care as the gallery's own stock.
Consignment
Placing works with appropriate buyers through the right channels, whether privately or through leading auction houses. Sellers benefit from deep market knowledge and an established network of serious collectors worldwide.
Valuation
Considered assessments of East Asian art for insurance, estate, or personal purposes, grounded in current market knowledge and scholarly understanding. Reports are prepared to professional standards and can withstand institutional scrutiny.
Research
Provenance research, attribution, and historical contextualisation for individual works or entire collections. Research engagements may stand alone or form part of a broader valuation or acquisition process.
Who We Work With