Nutmeg & Mace
Nutmeg & Mace
ION Orchard, 2009
Located at ION Orchard, Nutmeg & Mace by Kumari Nahappan connects Singapore’s bustling retail hub to its quieter past as a 19th-century nutmeg plantation. The two-tonne bronze sculpture depicts a split nutmeg revealing its crimson lace-like mace, capturing both botanical beauty and symbolic depth.
Once prized in the global spice trade, the nutmeg is a symbol of prosperity and duality—yielding both nutmeg and mace from a single seed. Kumari’s choice of this form reflects her ongoing exploration of nature, heritage, and identity. By placing the sculpture directly at the site of Orchard Road’s agrarian origins, she reanimates the ground with memory, transforming a commercial space into one layered with cultural resonance.
Few today recognise the nutmeg tree or its fruit, yet Kumari’s monumental rendering invites renewed curiosity. It pays tribute to a rich history of trade and the deep ties between land and community, while also celebrating the transformative power of nature. The sculpture stands as a reminder that behind every modern façade lies a story—rooted, fragrant, and enduring.
https://psmedia.asia/publicartsg/nutmeg-mace/