Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

One raised hand, a long coat, and a little basket of grain on the side.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. 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. Filling the right half of a red disc, a figure in a long buttoned coat raises one hand toward the left. A small lidded basket-like form sits low at the left, with a faint emblem above. It is 2 inches in diameter.

A cheerful wave, frozen in shining relief.