Chinese Cultural Revolution Medallion

Two heads in caps, one tucked behind the other, share a bowed rectangle.

This cultural revolution medallion 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. A wide plaque with gently bowed edges and a small loop at the top. Two raised profiles in soft caps overlap, the front one bolder, above a few wavy ground lines. The surface is rubbed and softly tarnished. It is 1.8 inches wide and 1.5 high.

Shoulder to shoulder, and nobody bothered to look away.