Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Pale profile with a long, wavy line of hills tucked underneath.

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. Softly lit silver relief models a left-facing head and collar over a round red field. Along the base, a delicate pattern of curving mountains and tiny clouds in pale gold flares past the disc. The red is smooth and glossy. It is 1.5 inches in diameter.

A very small landscape, drawn with a very steady hand.