The Buginese and the Makassan who ruled many tiny kingdoms of south Sulawesi did not convert to Islam until the 17th century. Makassar, the kingdom of Gowa was a busy and important port at the time of the spice trade in the Moluccus islands.

Their jewellery are mostly embellised with delicate and meandering scrolls depicting plants, flowers or stylized Arabic script executed in the filigree and granulation workmanship. The picture of this little girl in traditional costume of Kawari, chest ornament and Jempang, modesty plate is reminiscent of the ornaments worn by Buddhist deities found in Ayutthaya, Thailand between the 14th or 15th century.