CENTRAL JAVA, SURAKARTA, INDONESIA, CIRCA 1800

An almost identical bird-like clasp is published in James Bennett, Crescent Moon, Islamic Art & Civilisation in South East Asia, exhibition catalogue, cat.5, p.266-9 . It is noted that this type of clasp "was attached to the waist of the boy's sarong to hold the cloth away from his body following circumcision and would be worn until the cut healed. In keeping with the significance of the rite, the delicate clasp, with its bird-like shape, is adorned with precious gold and diamonds".