Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Silvery profile in a red oval, wreathed in a gold laurel edge.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is metal. 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. Tilted oval badge with a red center and faint rays. A silvery head in profile sits at the middle, and a leafy gold wreath border runs around the whole edge, slightly tarnished in spots. It is 0.6 inches wide and 0.8 high.

The wreath adds a final touch of ceremony.