Theft at the Bata Shoe Museum

Shoes worn by an India Prince stolen from the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto
Title: Shoes belonging to a Prince of India
Valued at: $160,000

Last month IATWM reported on the theft of a large Henry Moore sculpture from the British foundation bearing his name. On Sunday January 22, 2006, sometime between 12:01 p.m. and 5 p.m., a theft occurred at the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto.

Three items were stolen: a pair of shoes worn by an India prince, a gold anklet and a gold toe ring.

Gold Anklet inset with Diamonds, Rubies and Emeralds stolen from the Bata Shoe Museum
Title: Anklet, 18th Century
Medium: Gold, Diamonds, Rubies and Emeralds
Valued at: $45,000

Gold Toe Ring stolen from the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto
Title: Toe Ring
Medium: Gold, Diamonds and Rubies
Valued at: $11,000

It is unfortunate the damage these thefts do to the reputations of the institutions. The Bata Shoe Museum houses an impressive collection of footwear spanning the ages.

For them to increase their security would take necessary funds away from other important items. No one wants to run a security gauntlet in order to view art treasures but on the other hand the items need to be displayed for countless visitors to enjoy and learn about other cultures.

By publicizing the images IATWM hopes to make it that much harder for the products to be sold. Far better for the criminals to learn the items are too well known to be disposed of easily and perhaps like those who stole items from the Art Gallery of Ontario they may realize the wisest option is to find a way to return them without any questions being asked.

Anyone with information about the theft at the Bata Shoe Museum should contact www.222tips.com.

222-TIPS	www.222tips.com
Toronto Police	www.torontopolice.on.ca
Bata Shoe Museum	www.batashoemuseum.ca

All images of the items stolen from the Bata Shoe Museum Courtesy: Toronto Police Services

Theft at the Bata Shoe Museum

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