- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Bata Shoe Museum Foundation
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
May 6, 1995
Vol. III, p. 10
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Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Or and Azure in chief two keys wards upwards to the dexter Azure and in base a boot Or;
Crest
A full skin Or edged and charged with a round knife blade upwards Azure;
Motto
ONE STEP AT A TIME (or PER SAECULA GRADATIM);
Symbolism
Arms
Blue and gold are the official colours of the Museum. The triangular division of the shield echoes the position of the thongs found on the most common form of sandal as they would be viewed by the wearer. The boot represents all footwear. The two keys refer to the symbol in Canadian heraldry for museums, and they denote the two central components of the Bata Shoe Museum’s mission, to study and publicize the history of footwear and shoemaking.
Crest
The skin and knife symbolize the materials and tools that have been used for centuries in the shoemaking process.
Motto
This phrase is a suggestion made by Robertson Davies. It offers a triple meaning. First, it alludes to the progression of events and initiatives accompanying the development of the collections and the Museum. Second, it describes the locomotive experience of walking. Third, it symbolizes the step-by-step process by which visitors to the Museum will augment their knowledge and understanding of the history of shoes as cultural signifiers of social custom, economic change and climatic shifts.