Chinese Mao Zedong Circular Lapel Pin

Four stamped characters and a small sickle-and-hammer shape under a head.

This Mao Zedong circular 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. Silvery and left-facing, the head sits in the upper half of a red disc with fine sunburst lines. Across the lower half, a band carries four small gold characters, with a tiny curved emblem beneath them. The red is slightly mottled. It is 1.5 inches in diameter.

A caption and an emblem, with no wasted space.