Hairpins

Title
Hairpins
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Singapore or Malacca
Dimension
refer to parts
Accession No.
2002-00649
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin

A Peranakan woman, also known as Nonya, would traditionally tie her waist-long hair into a coiled bun, which would be held in place with hairpins. The hairpin studded with pearls was used during the mourning period of three years, when richly coloured fashions were exchanged for more sombre ensembles. It is possible that the hairpin with granulated beads was also a piece of mourning jewellery.