Best Auction Houses & Dealers in Canada
The best Canadian auction houses compared — Heffel, Waddington's, Cowley Abbott, and Miller & Miller. Canadian art, Inuit art, collectibles, fees, and how to sell at auction in Canada.
The Canadian Auction Market
Canada's auction market is defined above all by Canadian art — the Group of Seven, Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, and a strong tradition of Inuit and First Nations work — alongside a healthy trade in decorative arts, collectibles, and Canadiana.
Heffel Fine Art Auction House, founded in Vancouver in 1978, is the national leader for Canadian fine art and consistently sets records for the country's most important painters. Waddington's in Toronto is one of Canada's oldest and most broadly based houses, while Cowley Abbott (also Toronto) specialises in Canadian historical, post-war, and contemporary art. For collectors, Miller & Miller in Ontario has become the go-to for petroliana, advertising, Canadiana, watches, and other specialist collections.
Buyer's premiums at Canadian houses vary more than in Europe — from around 17% at fine-art specialists to 21-25% at collectibles houses, sometimes with an added surcharge for third-party online bidding. Sales tax (GST/HST/PST) applies depending on the province.
Canadian auction houses at a glance
9 houses compared by city, age, specialties and buyer's premium. Seller commission is usually agreed per consignment, so ask each house for a quote.
| Auction house | City | Founded | Known for | Buyer's premium | Online bidding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowley Abbott | Toronto | 2013 | Fine Art & Paintings | 25% up to CAD 25,000 and 20% above, plus 13% HST (26%/21% via Auction... | Yes |
| Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers | Toronto | 1986 | Fine Jewelry & Gems, Watches & Timepieces | 25% on every lot, plus HST unless shipped outside Canada | Yes |
| Heffel Fine Art Auction House | Vancouver | 1978 | Fine Art & Paintings | 25% of hammer up to $25,000 plus 20% above $25,000, plus applicable sa... | Yes |
| IEGOR Auction House | Montreal | 1983 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Watches & Timepieces | 20% of the hammer price (25% for countdown sales), plus applicable tax... | Yes |
| LEVIS Fine Art Auctions & Appraisals | Calgary | 1992 | Fine Art & Paintings | 20% of the hammer price, plus applicable GST/HST and PST/QST | Yes |
| Lunds Auctioneers & Appraisers | Victoria | 1955 | Fine Art & Paintings, Vintage Collectibles | 25% when bidding on LiveAuctioneers; 20% on advance bids placed direct... | Yes |
| Maynards Fine Art & Antiques | Richmond | 1902 | Fine Art & Paintings, Ceramics & Porcelain, Silver & Gold | 23% of the hammer price, plus provincial taxes for buyers in Canada | Yes |
| Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd. | New Hamburg | 2006 | Vintage Collectibles, Fine Art & Paintings, Watches & Timepieces | 21% (from January 2026); extra 5% via third-party platforms such as Li... | Yes |
| Waddington's Auctioneers & Appraisers | Toronto | 1850 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Antique Furniture | 25% of hammer up to CAD 25,000, 22% above, plus applicable taxes (28%/... | Yes |
Cowley Abbott
Auction HouseToronto auction house for Canadian and international art, founded in 2013 as Consignor Canadian Fine Art.
Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers
Auction HouseToronto jewellery auction house founded in 1986, holding twice-yearly sales of signed jewels, diamonds, gemstones and watches.
Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Auction HouseCanada's national fine art auction house, holder of the auction record for a Canadian painting at $11.21 million.
IEGOR Auction House
Auction HouseMontreal auction house founded in 1983, selling Canadian and international art, jewellery, watches, wine and decorative arts.
LEVIS Fine Art Auctions & Appraisals
Auction HouseCalgary art auction house selling Canadian, international, Inuit and First Nations art in six online sales a year since 1992.
Lunds Auctioneers & Appraisers
Auction HouseVictoria, BC auction and appraisal house, founded in 1955, selling fine art, antiques and collectables in themed online auctions.
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Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Auction HouseBritish Columbia fine art and antiques auction house, founded in Victoria in 1902, running timed online sales from Richmond.
Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Auction HouseNew Hamburg, Ontario auction house for Canadiana, folk art, petroliana, watches and collectibles, founded in 2006.
Waddington's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Auction HouseCanada's oldest and most complete auction house, leading the market for Canadian, Inuit, and First Nations art since 1850.
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