Straits Chinese ‘kerosang’

The ‘kerosang’ is a set of brooches used by the Peranakan Chinese ‘nyonyas’ to fasten and adorn the front portion of the ‘baju panjang’ (long tunic) and ‘kebaya’ (form-fitting blouse). The ‘kerosang’ usually comes in sets of three. The older and more conservatively designed ‘kerosangs’ usually consist of either three identical circular brooches or in this case, a large heart-shaped brooch (as shown) usually accompanied by two smaller circular brooches.