Silphium

Silphium imagines the scent of an herb once prized in the ancient Mediterranean world and later lost. Stora Skuggan builds its interpretation from surviving descriptions and plants thought to be related, using aroma materials to form a new accord. It is a reconstruction of a historical impression rather than an extract from the ancient plant itself. Olle Hemmendorff and Tomas Hempel created the fragrance, released in 2017.

Cinnamon, black pepper, ginger and clove bring dry spice and warmth around the herbal theme. Geranium adds a greener floral facet, while tobacco contributes another kind of dryness. Frankincense, cistus and myrrh create a resinous setting, joined by cedarwood and leather. Together they suggest aromatic materials and weathered objects rather than a sweet flower bouquet.

A botanical illustration marks the clear rectangular 30mL bottle, topped by a sphere of flowing yellow-green and black. Its herbal, spicy and resinous textures are particularly inviting in cooler conditions or whenever a dry aromatic fragrance feels more appealing than floral sweetness.