Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Stern look, front-facing gaze, and a fringe of little spires below.

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. Looking straight ahead with a firm gaze, the figure wears a buttoned high collar and short hair. Below it, a decorative band of tiny peaked roofs in gold spills past the red disc. Surface tone is a dark, warm brown. It is 1.5 inches in diameter.

It stares back with remarkable determination.