Such brooches, known as 'kerosang' were worn by Peranakan women as fasteners on blouses and usually come in groups of three. The central brooch features a floral motif while the two other brooches are circlets studded with gold beads. This style, more popular in Malacca and Singapore, is known as the kerosang Melaka, which consist of the larger central brooch ('kerosang ibu' or ‘mother') and two smaller brooches ('kerosang anak' or ‘child’). 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.
