Title
Hairpins
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Probably Java
Dimension
refer to parts
Accession No.
2002-00662
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
This pair of hairpins adorned with pearls, and with floral motifs at the top, is worn by Indonesian Peranakan women during the mourning period as a show of respect for the loss of a loved one. During this time, the usual gold and diamond ornaments are exchanged for more sombre jewellery such as this hairpin. 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.
