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Lot #3099
Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics Bronze Winner's Medal for Ski Jumping

A bronze masterpiece—the stunning winner’s medal of the Nagano 1998 Winter Games, awarded to a high-flying Olympic ski jumper

Estimate: $20000+

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Server Time: 12/22/2024 02:44:56 PM EST
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Description

A bronze masterpiece—the stunning winner’s medal of the Nagano 1998 Winter Games, awarded to a high-flying Olympic ski jumper

Gorgeous winner's medal issued for ski jumping at the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics. Bronze, 82 mm, 233 gm, by Takeshi Ito; manufactured by Kiso Kurashi Craft Center. The front depicts a central cloisonne design of the official games emblem, olive branches to either side, an ornamental lacquer upper portion with silver text, “The XVIII Olympic Winter Games,” and a dazzling rising sun composed of fine gold powder; the reverse bears raised text to the lower rim, “The XVIII Olympic Winter Games, Nagano 1998,” with the main Kiso lacquer body showing the games logo and Olympic rings in sparkling gold, and a small ski jumping event pictogram set within a brilliant depiction of the Shinshu Mountains in the morning sun. Includes its blue and yellow winner’s ribbon, as well as the original blue velvet presentation case with its medal information booklet.

A total of six bronze medals were awarded to athletes in the ski jumping events at the 1998 Nagano Games, which included Masahiko Harada of Japan in the large hill individual event, Andreas Widholzl of Austria in the normal hill individual event, and the Austrian team of Widholzl, Reinhard Schwarzenberger, Martin Hollwarth, and Stefan Horngacher in the large hill team event.

Among the most beautiful of all Olympic medals, the winner’s prize of the Nagano 1998 Games is a true work of medallic art and craftsmanship. Described by the Nagano Organizing Committee as ‘an expression of Nagano and Japan,’ the medal was intricately and thoughtfully conceived through traditional Nagano materials and techniques, such as lacquer, cloisonne, and engraving. The Nagano bronze medal remains appreciably rare, with a total of only 162 athletes across 14 different sports having received one during the closing victory ceremonies.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Olympics
  • Dates: December 12, 2024 - January 16, 2025