A set of brooches

Title
A set of brooches
Year/Period
1920s or 1930s
Region
Straits Settlements
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Object size: L: 35.0cm,
x W: 3.6cm x H:0.4cm
Accession No.
2002-00421

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). This unique kerosang rantay features gold five U.S. dollars coins with soldered flowery frames.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.