Heffel Fine Art Auction House

About Heffel

Heffel Fine Art Auction House describes itself as Canada's national fine art auction house. The business began in Vancouver and now has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. It is best known for Canadian historical, post-war and contemporary art, and it also offers international works.

Heffel holds the auction record for a work by a Canadian artist: Lawren Harris's Mountain Forms, which sold for $11.21 million in Toronto in November 2016.

History

Art collector Kenneth G. Heffel opened Kenneth G. Heffel Fine Art in Vancouver in 1978 as a gallery. After his death in 1987, his sons David and Robert Heffel took over the business, which became Heffel Gallery.

In 1995 the brothers set up the auction division, Heffel Fine Art Auction House. Its first live auction in Vancouver brought in more than $1 million. The firm launched monthly online auctions in September 1999, which it calls the first online auction platform in Canada dedicated to fine art.

• 1978: gallery founded in Vancouver by Kenneth G. Heffel
• 1995: auction division established by David and Robert Heffel
• 1999: monthly online fine art auctions begin
• 2003 and 2005: Toronto and Montreal offices open
• 2015: HO2, a second online platform for high-volume collections, launches
• 2016: Calgary office opens; the fall sale totals more than $42 million

What they sell

Heffel's core market is Canadian fine art, from historical masterworks to contemporary pieces. Artists regularly offered include Emily Carr, Lawren Harris and other Group of Seven painters, Tom Thomson, Jean Paul Riopelle, E.J. Hughes and Alex Colville. The house also sells international post-war and contemporary art.

Heffel's published list of top results is led by Canadian painting:

• Lawren Harris, Mountain Forms: $11,210,000 (November 2016)
• Jean Paul Riopelle, Vent du nord: $7,438,750 (May 2017)
• Jean Paul Riopelle, Sans titre (Composition #2): $5,701,250 (November 2023)
• E.J. Hughes, Entrance to Howe Sound: $4,801,250 (November 2025)
• Lawren Harris, Mountain and Glacier: $4,602,000 (November 2015)

Selling with Heffel

Consignors sign a consignment agreement that sets the seller's commission, which is charged on the hammer price at the rate agreed in writing. Expenses such as insurance, shipping and photography can also be charged to the seller. Insurance is set at $15 per $1,000 (1.5%) of the greater of the high estimate or the hammer price.

Works go either into the twice-yearly live sales or into the online auctions, depending on value and subject.

Buying and bidding

Heffel holds its major live auctions in Toronto twice a year, in May and November. Online auctions run every month, with HO2 handling high-volume collections. The same terms of business cover both live and online sales.

• Buyer's premium: 25% of the hammer price up to and including $25,000, plus 20% on the part above $25,000
• Sales tax: applicable sales tax is added to the hammer price and premium
• Bidding: in the saleroom, online, and through the monthly online auctions

Location

Heffel began on South Granville Street in Vancouver, and Vancouver remains its home base. It also has offices in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and holds its major live sales in Toronto.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Heffel founded?

Kenneth G. Heffel founded the business in Vancouver in 1978 as a gallery. His sons David and Robert set up the auction division in 1995.

What is Heffel's buyer's premium?

It is 25% of the hammer price up to and including $25,000, plus 20% on any amount above $25,000. Applicable sales tax is added on top.

What is the most expensive painting sold at Heffel?

Lawren Harris's Mountain Forms, which sold for $11.21 million including premium in November 2016. It is the auction record for a work by a Canadian artist.