Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Silver head, flag draped across the lower curve, and a gate peeking out.

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. Facing left, a smooth silvery head with a faint rainbow tint rises from a red disc. At the base, a red flag drapes around the shoulders, and a slim gateway with a flat roof extends just below the disc. It is 1.5 inches in diameter.

A formal portrait in a very modest frame.