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 is known as 'kerosang rantay' (rantay being the Baba Malay word for chain). The origin of 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.
