Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Golden gateway at the foot of a very serious profile.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Cultural Revolution memorabilia, whether porcelain figures, buttons or posters, is described as reflecting pivotal moments in modern Chinese history and the lives swept up in that period, beyond the figure it portrays. On a red disc, a left-facing head with warm yellow highlights looks off to one side. Below, a gold gate with a pagoda-style roof and a line of buildings extends past the circle. A slope of gold rises on the left. It is 1.5 inches in diameter.

Even the architecture seems to be standing at attention.