This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2022
Presented here is a beautiful, unused torch from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The design owes much of its inspiration to the concept of "Lucky Cloud," which represents the thousand-year-old Chinese culture of harmony between man and nature. The paper scroll shape demonstrates one of the greatest inventions China has presented to the world. The application of "China red", a special shade of red which was first used on lacquerware in China's Han Dynasty around 2000 years ago, distinguishes the Beijing Olympic torch from all previous examples. The 2008 torch relay, named "Journey of Harmony" by the organizers, lasted 129 days and carried the Olympic flame 137,000 km (85,000 mi), making it the longest distance covered since the relay tradition started at the 1936 Berlin Games.
Made of red an anodized aluminum, it measures 28 inches (72 cm) long and is 3" at its widest at the flame opening. "Beijing 2008" is inscribed both on the lovely red and silver spiraling section and on the plain red handle. The logo of these Games and the five Olympic rings appears near the top. The number of these torches made by the Lenovo Group of Beijing is quite large; however, they are still not easy to find in the hobby. This particular torch does not show visible signs of being ignited but it does show some wear on the handle. It comes with its original wooden presentation box, a lovely antique-style design with Chinese lettering carved into the wood. Inside the yellow foam-padded box, the torch has its own compartment alongside a ceremonial red key.