Winner’s medal awarded to a member of the Argentinean men’s football team at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver with inlaid jade, 70 mm x 82 mm, 190 gm, by Medal Design Group, China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Elena Votsi. Created from ancient Chinese jade patterns, the medal consists of silver and jade, which symbolize nobility and virtue. Jade has been regarded as a virtue since ancient times, and the embodiment of Chinese traditional values of ethics and honor. The front depicts the standing goddess of Victory against panoramic imagery of the Panathinaikos Arena, with text above reading: “XXIX Olympiad Beijing 2008”; and the reverse features the Beijing Games emblem surrounded by inlaid jade and the outer circle engraved with the sport, “Football, Men.” The design inspiration of the medal hook derives from jade ‘huang,’ a ceremonial jade piece decorated with a double dragon pattern and ‘Pu,’ the reed mat pattern. The medal is accompanied by its gorgeous red rosewood presentation case and traditional Chinese brocade box, which bears some light scattered marks and stains, and the original winner’s bouquet, with golden brim and a red Olympic tie; the medal ribbon is not present. The Argentinean men’s football team continued their dominance at the Olympic level by going 6-0 and extending their record streak of 12 consecutive wins in football competitions at the Summer Olympics (six wins in 2004, six wins in 2008). In the gold medal match, Argentina edged Nigeria 1-0, with the game’s lone goal from Angel Di Maria enough to reclaim their second straight Olympic gold.
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