Nutmeg from the Banda Islands


Here is a sixteenth century image of a nutmeg. The nutmeg tree produces two precious spices which are shown clearly here in the top right of the image. The nutmeg kernel itself can be seen at the center. When grown, this kernel is enveloped by a red skin, which produces the spice mace. Both spices were in high demand and could be sold for a significant markup.

Nootmuskaat van de Banda-eilanden, 1599, Anonymous, 1619, RP-P-OB-75.396, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam