Gold diamond brooch set

Title
Gold diamond brooch set
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th centuries
Region
Singapore or Malacca
Object Type
kerongsang
Dimension
refer to parts
Accession No.
2002-00508
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
NLB Type
Goldwork

Such brooches, known as 'kerosang', were worn by Peranakan women as fasteners on blouses and usually come in groups of three. The largest brooch is paisley-shaped, and is accompanied by an insect-shaped brooch and a simple circlet. 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 in island Southeast Asia as well as mixed heritage communities such as the Peranakan Chinese.