Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Standing figure with brush in hand, beside a column of handwritten-style characters.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Badges and lapel pins bearing Mao's face were produced by the billions, and Mao himself called a halt to production in 1969 because the metal used was seen as wasteful. Leaning on a flat surface, a figure in a buttoned tunic holds a brush-like tool in one hand. Columns of script characters run down the left side. The red field is glossy with green and blue glints. It is 2 inches in diameter.

Caught mid-composition, with all the ink still wet.