Set of brooches

Title
Set of brooches
Year/Period
Early-mid 20th century
Region
Straits Settlements
Material
Dimension
refer to parts
Accession No.
2002-00454
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin

These three identical brooches each feature a motif of a tree and a flower, studded with diamonds.Such brooches, known as 'kerosang' were worn by Peranakan women as fasteners on blouses and usually come in groups of three. 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 of various ethnic groups in island Southeast Asia as well as mixed heritage communities such as the Peranakans.