Chinese Mao Zedong Circular Lapel Pin

Concentric red rings around a head, over a bridge and a small lighthouse.

This Mao Zedong circular 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. Beneath a left-facing silver head, rings of red spread outward like ripples. At the base, a long bridge and a small tower are traced in silver line against the red. A silver rim studded with tiny stars frames the disc. It is 1.75 inches in diameter.

Even the ripples seem to know where they are going.