Carl Wantrup has been consulting and dealing in Asian art for over twenty-five years, specialising in Japanese and Chinese works of art including ceramics, sculpture, painting, scholar’s art, and arts of the Japanese tea ceremony.

For almost a decade he curated and catalogued all of the specialist Asian Works of Art auctions for one of Australia’s largest and oldest auction houses. During this time, he established strong connections in the Australian and international art market.

Carl regularly visits Japan and other parts of Asia, both for buying and for study, and consequently has an extensive network of overseas contacts.

He is an independent researcher in Japanese studio ceramics from the Middle Edo Period through to the Showa Period. He has written articles and given presentations on Japanese and Chinese ceramics and other works of art for institutions and associations in Australia including The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA), the Ceramics and Glass Circle of Australia, and The Asian Study Group. He served as Victorian Convenor for TAASA from 2019-2021. Carl is a member of the Australian Asian Collection Society, and co-curated its inaugural exhibition ‘Why Collect’ in 2022.

Carl is an Approved Valuer for all categories of Asian arts under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, and regularly provides valuations for museums, universities and other public institutions, and private collectors.

Carl looks forward to assisting you, whether you are buying or selling a work of art, or seeking advice. He guarantees the authenticity, dating and stated condition of all of his works of art for sale. In addition to selling, Carl also regularly buys art works and collections directly from collectors.

Testimonials

Carl Wantrup is one of the great dealers of the future who brings an unparalleled breadth and depth of knowledge to his profession. His contacts in Japan and his familiarity with Japanese dealers, joined to his experience in the field and his passion for Japanese art, enables him to access the best that is available. To this we can add his integrity and trustworthy past performance to make him the dealer par excellence.

Daniel McOwan OAM, Director, Hamilton Art Gallery 1988-2015

In the course of building a boutique collection of Asian art, Wantrup has purveyed to me several noteworthy and exquisite objects. A dealer of integrity, with an ‘eye’ for beauty and quality, and an unbounded enthusiasm for the arts of Asia, he stands by his attributions, and renders the task of the collector a true pleasure.

Jason Earle-Sprague, collector
London/Melbourne 2024

I have known Carl Wantrup for more than ten years, initially when I was convenor of the Asian Art Society of Australia in Victoria. I later knew him as a private dealer, and through his work in an auction house when he sold some of my Asian art collection. Carl is impressively professional to deal with. He has a broad and substantial knowledge of Asian art and the art market, an excellent eye, and a manner that is honest, tactful and straightforward.

Boris Kaspiev, collector
2024