Lapel pin to be worn by participants in the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, August 1897.

Symbol of the First Zionist Congress, adorned with a circular blue-and-white ribbon.

The symbol is in the form of a Star of David, with a lion and seven stars in the center. This design is based on Theodor Herzl’s proposal in his work Der Judenstaat: "I am hereby imagining a white flag, with seven shining golden stars. The white cloth will symbolize the purity of our new lives, and the seven golden stars will represent our seven hours of work per day. For work will be espoused by the Jews making their way to their new land".

Maximal length: 18 mm. Good condition. Minor unraveling and blemishes to ribbon.