Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Broad grey smile and a cap tipped with a red star.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is porcelain. Propaganda posters of the era generally pictured a utopian society, with smiling farmers, brave soldiers and happy people gathered around Mao, who was cast as a benevolent father and wise teacher. Fine gold line sets off the white disc. The figure is shaded in greys and browns with red collar tabs and a tiny red star on the cap, and the face tilts gently to one side. It is 1.4 inches in diameter.

Genial, glossy, and just a touch gilded.