LEVIS Fine Art Auctions & Appraisals

About LEVIS Fine Art Auctions

LEVIS Fine Art Auctions & Appraisals is a consignment-based art auction house in Calgary, Alberta. It sells historical and contemporary work by notable Canadian artists, along with select pieces by international painters and sculptors. Property comes from private collectors, estates, corporate collections, galleries, dealers and public institutions.

The firm runs its sales on its own website using proprietary online bidding software. It also offers appraisals, art storage, professional crating and shipping, so it serves collectors and estates as well as auction buyers.

History

A federally incorporated parent company, Artbank Incorporated, was formed in 1986. It gave rise to Levis Fine Art Auctions and Appraisals in Calgary in 1992. Founder Doug Levis led the business for more than 25 years before retiring in 2020.

The house is now co-owned by Cheryl Sonley and Andrea Lowe, and it works with a small full-time team. According to the company, it has sold more than 48,000 works of art since 1992.

Its best-known result came in December 2002, when Paul Kane's Portrait of Maungwudaus sold for $2.2 million. The Globe and Mail reported that the price tied it as the second most valuable Canadian painting sold at auction at that time. Levis describes it as the highest hammer price achieved by a Canadian auction house west of Toronto at the time.

What LEVIS Fine Art Auctions sells

The focus is fine art, with an emphasis on Canadian artists. Typical material includes:

• Historical Canadian paintings and works on paper
• Contemporary Canadian art
• Selected international paintings and sculpture
• Inuit and First Nations art, which has had dedicated annual auctions since 2008

Every lot carries a pre-sale estimate based on earlier auction results for the artist. The house notes that these estimates are opinions of likely selling price and are not appraised values.

Selling at LEVIS Fine Art Auctions

Consignors start by sending the artist name, title, medium, dimensions, an image and any other details they have. Consultations in Calgary are available by appointment. The published commission scale runs from 10% for lots selling for $2,500 or more up to 30% for lots selling under $500.

The house says it covers catalogue and website publishing, marketing and advertising, cataloguing and photography at no extra charge to consignors. Reserves are confidential minimums agreed with the seller, and the opening bid equals the reserve. A reserve never exceeds the printed estimate.

Buying and bidding

LEVIS holds about six auctions a year in two seasons. The spring season has sales in March, April and May, and the fall season has sales in September, November and December. The April and November sales are the major consignment auctions with a printed brochure.

All bidding takes place online after registering for a paddle number, which requires contact details and a valid credit card. Sessions use a soft close: a bid placed after the stated closing time adds a 120-second extension, and a session only closes after 60 seconds with no bids.

• Buyer's premium: 20% of the hammer price on every lot
• Taxes: GST/HST and PST/QST as applicable, charged on the hammer price plus premium
• Payment: the card on file is charged one hour after the auction closes, unless other arrangements are made in advance; e-transfer, wire, debit, cheque and cash are also accepted

Packing and shipping preparation is done in-house at the buyer's expense. The house works with Canada Post, FedEx and specialist art couriers for Western Canada and cross-country delivery.

Location and viewing

The gallery is at 1739 10 Avenue SW in Calgary. Its terms advise bidders to inspect lots during scheduled preview times or by appointment before bidding, because all property is sold as is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the buyer's premium at LEVIS Fine Art Auctions?

A buyer's premium of 20% is added to the hammer price of every lot. Applicable GST/HST and PST/QST are then charged on the hammer price plus premium.

How often does LEVIS hold auctions?

It holds about six online auctions a year: March, April and May in spring, and September, November and December in fall. The April and November sales are the major consignment auctions.

Can I bid in person at LEVIS?

Bidding happens online through the house's own website after you register for a paddle number. You can still view lots in Calgary during preview times or by appointment.