Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Hands crossed at the chest, with a hanging lantern in the upper right.

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. Soft corners shape the red rectangular plate, where a half figure in a buttoned jacket crosses hands at the chest. A lantern hangs from a pole at the upper right. The jacket shows green and pink glints. It is 2 inches wide and 2.5 high.

A genial pose, with a lantern for good measure.