How to Sell

Amelia Zhu

Senior Specialist / Business Development

Amelia Zhu joined Waddington’s in 2015 and has been a specialist in the Asian Art Department since 2017. Her expertise encompasses all Chinese Art categories including paintings, ceramics, jade carvings, furniture and textiles. Beyond Chinese art, Amelia is also knowledgeable with art from the Himalayan region, South-East Asia and Japan. In addition, she has developed a strong relationship with Asian Art collectors and dealers in Canada and internationally.

Within the Asian Art Department, Amelia has played key roles in appraisals, research, proposals and auction preparation. One of her highlights was the promotion and sale of two acrylic paintings by renowned Chinese modernist master Walasse Ting (1929-2010) that sold for $98,000 in 2019.

Amelia completed her studies at the University of Toronto with a B.A. and M.A. in Art History, and minors in East Asian Studies and Book & Media Studies. Prior to joining Waddington’s, Amelia participated in the tomb excavation project of Cao Wei from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD) in Henan Province, and was involved in numerous internships at auction houses in China. She was also the assistant chief editor at DaHe Daily Newspaper and an intern TV host at HNTV. Amelia is fluent in both Mandarin and English.

Andrew Brandt

Specialist, Rugs & Carpets, Ethnographic Art & Artifacts

With over two decades of experience at Waddington’s, Andrew Brandt has learned the auction business from the ground up. Beginning with a role as general estate auction floor worker, Andrew soon began to assist with cataloguing, staging, photography and client coordination. Always committed to increasing his knowledge, Andrew began assisting as a general appraiser on housecalls. He currently oversees the sale of rugs and carpets as well as African and Ethnographic art and artifacts at Waddington’s.

Alicia Bojkov

Associate Specialist, International Art

Alicia holds an MA and BAH in Art History from the University of Toronto where her scholarship focused on Modernism and early 20th century photography and collage. With experience in the museum and gallery aspects of the industry, Alicia has held positions at the Gardiner Museum, Aga Khan Museum and as the Associate Director of Corkin Gallery. Also an arts writer, Alicia is a regular contributor to publications such as Inuit Art Quarterly.

Valerie Brown

Client Services

Valerie Brown has extensive experience in the international art and auction market. Joining Waddington’s in 1974, she was integral to the early success of the company. Based in Collingwood, Ontario, Valerie advises the company on international art and assists collectors in establishing and building their collections. She provides expert appraisal advice for estate, insurance, family division or sale and facilitates the shipping of items to our head office in Toronto for sale to the international art market.

Jacqui de Leeuw

Director

Based in Vancouver, Jacqui de Leeuw leads our Western Canadian division of Waddington’s. Jacqui provides a full suite of services including providing appraisal advice and consignment guidance to meet the needs of our clients.

Jacqui possesses over 25 years’ experience in business development, sales and customer service across a wide range of industries including travel, recruitment and fine art. She has held senior leadership roles and been successful in building profitable sales and operational teams with business both in Australia and in Canada.

Jacqui is passionate about providing exceptional customer service to our clients. She works closely with the team of specialists in Toronto to provide our Western clientele with an enhanced customer service experience which includes Waddington’s expertise at auction and appraisal.

Devin Hatfield

Specialist

Devin Hatfield is a Specialist in our Fine Wine and Spirits Department. His attention to detail, coupled with his excellent customer service and love of all things imbibed has helped produce some of the most successful fine wine and spirits auctions in Canada.
Devin has graduated with honours from WSET2, as well as earning two diplomas from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy (SQA), one in Single Malt Whisky and the other in The Art of Tasting Whisky.

Palmer Jarvis

Senior Specialist

Palmer has a diverse background working with collectors and galleries in the areas of historic North American Indigenous art, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis art, as well as Oceanic and African historic Indigenous arts. He is highly regarded for his research and documentation skills and has written for publications such as the Native American Art Magazine. Palmer has a BA in Fine Arts from OCAD University in Toronto.

Bill Kime

Senior Specialist, Ceramics, Glass and Silver

William (Bill) Kime is a Senior Specialist in the Decorative Arts department at Waddington’s and is one of the company’s senior auctioneers. Educated in England, including further studies at Sotheby’s (London) and at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Bill joined Waddington’s in 1975.

With over 45 years’ experience, a wealth of accumulated knowledge in his field and veteran of three seasons on the CBC’s Canadian Antiques Roadshow, Bill enjoys a respected reputation as one of North America’s foremost experts in 19th and 20th century decorative arts.

Goulven Le Morvan

Director, Fine Art

Goulven Le Morvan is Waddington’s Director of Fine Art. Based in Montreal, Goulven comes to Canada by way of France. After earning his master’s degree in French Law, Goulven earned his master’s degree in Art History from La Sorbonne. He entered the world of auctions, working in various fields including Asian Art, Silverware, Folk art, Jewellery and Design. Goulven is a particular specialist in the realm of editions, prints and multiples, having run the Limited Edition department at Piasa Auction House before joining Waddington’s.

Joann Maplesden

Senior Specialist

Joann Maplesden is the Senior Specialist in Waddington’s Fine Wine and Spirits department, bringing her extensive experience from the wine world along with invaluable knowledge, insight, and mentorship to the role.

With a natural talent for hospitality, Joann helped launch the pioneering Nekah, alongside renowned chef Michael Stadtländer, introducing tasting menus with wine pairings and an on-site sommelier to the Toronto culinary scene. Her career includes some of the city’s most respected establishments from the Royal York Hotel’s Library Bar to managing Le Select Bistro, Orso and Scaramouche. Joann has also held key roles with leading wine agencies including Rogers and Company, Vinifera and The Vine. She has collaborated with some of the best wine producers in the world including the wines of Christian Moueix, Chave, Vietti, Caymus, Philip Togni and Shafer.

Since 2016, Joann has played an instrumental role in bringing expertly cellared wines and fine spirits to auction at Waddington’s with over ten successful white glove sales.

Donald McLean

Senior Specialist

Donald McLean is the Senior Specialist in the FIne Jewellery and Watch Department. His 35+ years of experience gives him an in-depth knowledge of both domestic and international markets for a wide range of jewellery and horological material. Donald received a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Geology from Carleton University, and earned his F.G.A. with distinction from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. He is a member of several horological and mineralogical associations, and has appeared as a jewellery and watch specialist on the Canadian Antiques Roadshow.

Duncan McLean

President, Senior Specialist

Duncan McLean is a recognized leader and innovator in the Canadian auction industry. His forty+ years of experience includes specialized knowledge in Canadian art, with a focus on Inuit art, and exceptional knowledge across all of Waddington’s specialty areas. Duncan’s expertise as an auctioneer is highly regarded. His commitment to community support and initiatives drives Waddington’s philanthropic strategy.

Katie Mergelas

Appraisals and Consignments Coordinator

Katie Mergelas is Waddington’s Appraisals and Consignments Coordinator. Katie earned her master’s degree in Art History from Queen’s University where she focused on the depiction of Canadian identity in funerary monuments after the First World War and developed an affinity for early twentieth century Canadian art. She comes to Waddington’s after working with a Toronto-based conservation studio, where she assisted with a number of high-profile projects including the restoration of Michael Snow’s iconic Flight Stop, prominently displayed in the Eaton Centre.

Livia Miliotis

Associate Specialist

Livia Miliotis joined the Fine Jewellery department at Waddington’s in July 2019 with nearly a decade of previous experience in the auction industry. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art History from York University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with Distinction) in Arts Management from the University of Toronto. She has further supplemented her learning with jewellery and gemmology courses at the ROM and the Canadian Gemmological Association. Livia is particularly interested in the movements that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries surrounding jewellery production and design. While jewellery is her primary focus, she also enjoys learning about art and antiques in other disciplines as well as the unique stories behind clients’ collections. Over the years, she has volunteered for a number of local arts and cultural organizations, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the creative sectors closely associated with the auction world.

Doug Payne

Senior Specialist

Doug Payne learned his craft the old fashioned way – on the auction floor. With over 25 years of managing Waddington’s “Off The Wall” auctions – now known as “Discovery Art” – thousands of art works of all types and values have passed through his hands. Working closely with all Waddington’s art departments, Doug has developed a very diverse and respected knowledge of art and an extensive network of clients. Doug’s Discovery Art auctions are always an eclectic selection of affordable works – a great place to start collecting and build your collection.

Kendra Popelas

Associate Specialist

Kendra has worked with public institutions, private galleries, and organizations including Art Toronto and the Canadian Museum Association in her role as Manager of Appraisal Services for the Art Dealers Association of Canada. Kendra has an MA, Art Business, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London, UK, and a BFA, Criticism and Curatorial Practice, Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto.

Sean Quinn

Senior Specialist, Clocks, Sculpture & Lighting

Sean Quinn is a Senior Specialist in our Decorative Arts & Design department with specific expertise in sculpture, clocks, and lighting as well as some of our most unique auctions, like the Cabinet of Curiosities. Sean has been responsible for our most memorable auctions – including Soviet Space Artifacts and Antique Scientific Instruments, and the Canada 150 Auction. Sean has also appeared on CBC’s Antiques Roadshow, where he lent his expertise to assessing a wide variety of Decorative Arts. He also has a degree in Horology and has apprenticed with a Journeyman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.

Austin Yuen

Specialist

With just over a decade of experience working at Waddington’s, Austin Yuen became a full time specialist in our Asian Art Department in 2017, with working areas of expertise in ceramics, bronzes, furniture, and other works of art in the Chinese, Japanese, Himalayan, South and Southeast Asian categories. Having been raised in a collector family, Austin has built his appreciation for Chinese antiques around artists, collectors and dealers over his lifetime. He holds an MA in Art History from the University of Toronto and a BSc from McMaster University. Austin is fluent in both English and Cantonese.

Erin Wiley

Associate Specialist

Erin earned her BA in Art History from Queen’s University and completed a graduate certificate in Culture and Heritage Site Management from Centennial College. Her past work includes positions at the Gardiner Museum as well as previous experience in the auction industry – opportunities which have cemented her passion for ceramics, with particular interest in 18th and 19th century English and European porcelain. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Canadian Society of Decorative Arts, where she chairs the Young Professionals and Creatives committee.