Title
Set of brooches
Year/Period
Early-mid 20th century
Region
Straits Settlements
Object Type
Dimension
Object size: 35.5 x 2.8 x 1.1 cm
Accession No.
2002-00540
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
Such brooches, known as 'kerosang', were worn by Peranakan women as fasteners on blouses and usually come in groups of three. As the three gold brooches are joined by a chain, this kerosang in foliage design is known as 'kerosang rantay' ('rantay' being the Baba Malay word for chain). The origin of the kerosang is uncertain, although it has been suggested that kerosang came from the Malays, who call them 'kerongsang'. Kerosang were worn by ladies in island Southeast Asia as well as mixed heritage communities such as the Peranakan Chinese.
