TORONTO.- “Don’t shout – just bid!” was what auctioneer William Kime told the exuberant crowd at one point during Waddington’s Decorative Arts auction held in Toronto December 10, 2013.

The spectacular session of Decorative Arts saw a remarkable 97% of all lots sold. The evening was made particularly interesting by the diversity of bidders from across Canada and around the world who participated by telephone, online, and in person in a lively auction room as many items doubled and tripled their estimates.

The Decorative Arts auction caps an excellent season for Waddington’s that includes a $3+ million Asian Art auction, a $2 million Canadian Art auction and similarly impressive results for Inuit and International Art.

Company president Duncan McLean is proud of the strong results across all departments; after all, Waddington’s is the most diverse Canadian auction house, representing multiple fine arts departments.

Linda Rodeck, Vice President of Fine Art agrees, “It’s one thing to do well in a single area like Canadian Art; but to be able to also do extremely well in Asian Art, Contemporary Art, Inuit Art and Decorative Arts – that’s impressive.” Rodeck continued, “We’re really focused on listening to our clients and trying to deliver what they’re chasing – after all, we’re dream merchants as much as we are anything else.”

Waddington’s sees the emphasis on delivering client satisfaction evidenced in increased sell-through rates, the percentage of items sold. Rodeck increased the Canadian Art department’s sell through rate by 25% from last season resulting in more sales – and happier clients.

“This has been an extraordinary year for Waddington’s, marked by the exciting return of Linda Rodeck to head up our Canadian Art department,” says McLean. “Linda brings such strength and stature in the Canadian art market – combined with Stephen Ranger’s knowledge of the contemporary art market – I have never been more excited about what the future holds for Waddington’s.”

Stephen Ranger, Vice President of Business Development, who leads Waddington’s charge into the contemporary art market added, “Even as we wrap up this auction season, we’re working on some intriguing new ventures for 2014. For example, we bolt out of the starting gates in January with a pop-up retail gallery featuring local art/world star Gary Taxali, followed by more single-owner collections later in the spring.”

The new offerings combined with Waddington’s roster of established auction and appraisal services, the Canadian company will continue to make news in the local and international art markets.

Specific highlights of the fall season’s auctions include:

· Record total of $3.1 million for an Asian Art auction in Canada

· Kazuo Nakamura’s Inner Expansion tripled its expectations bringing in $65,000, the second highest price ever paid for the artist’s work

· Walter Yarwood’s Untitled, 1958 hit a new record for the artist’s work, at $55,000

· The Canadian Art catalogue cover work, Alfred Joseph Casson’s Leaf-Burning, Autumn in Ontario, brought $120,000, doubling its expectations

· Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Ruyi Scepter, Jiaqing Period, realized $347,500

· After Fu Baoshi, Mountainous River Landscape, soars over estimate to sell for $807,500

· A classic early 1950’s Inuit sculpture of a mother and children, from Inukjuak commanded $38,000

· A rare collection of Brooklin Pottery sold for $55,200

· A rare Anglo-Indian John Company carved ivory chess set sold for $38,400

· A rare 19th century French Champleve and Enamel Temple Form Clock quadruples the estimate selling for $72,000