Spider Chrysanthemum Box

Mum's the Word

“Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.” – William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part II

Spider Chrysanthemum Box by Tomasz Gawronski

I’ll let you in on another secret, but mum’s the word, okay? The origins of this phrase trace back to the English allegorical narrative poem Piers Plowman by William Langland c. 1370-90, considered to be one of the finest works of the Middle Ages. I’m sure you remember this bit:

“Thou mightest beter meten the myst on Malverne hulles

Then geten a mom of heore mouth til moneye weore schewed!”

The Old English words mom, momme, and mum all mean “to be silent”, or just silent. They have the same derivation as the more recognizable modern word “mime”. Mum’s the word that has implied a silent secret for centuries, so naturally it’s a wonderful theme for a box full of secrets. Especially one that hides an incredibly symbolic flower.

Gorgeous mosaic of interwoven wood 

The chrysanthemum is a part of the daisy family that includes zinnias and marigolds as well. It features prominently in many ancient cultures and traditions, such as in China and Japan. The beautiful and distinctive flower looks like an exploding firework streaming in all directions. This loud analogy contrasts with the origins of the word mum, but truly the mum flower was never meant to be silent. Chrysanthemum derives from the Greek “chrysos” (golden) and “anthemon” (flower) which likely morphed into “anthemum” over the ages. No matter, it’s still the perfect flower to hide a secret.

Mum's the word on this secret

The Spider Chrysanthemum, also known as the Fuji mum, is a variety of the flower with long, drooping petals that is in season during October and November. It’s the perfect time to appreciate them, especially when you find one hiding inside a gorgeous mosaic box. Polish wood worker Tomasz Gawronski makes beautiful custom furniture in his Industrial Wood Furniture workshop, and he also likes to make boxes. But not just any boxes, of course. Like this one, for example. Crafted from oak and covered in a stunning mosaic of oak, smoke oak, maple, ash, and cherry parquet woods, the box is quite a sight to behold. There does not appear to be any way to open the box, as the lid is completely disguised by the mosaic pattern and locked in place by a hidden mechanism.

Inside the box, the mosaic continues - Tomasz has spared no detail. Yet the most striking feature is the one you are met with upon entry – the namesake Spider Chrysanthemum flower. Tomasz crafts these flowers by hand from oak, sliver by sliver, with so many pieces I have lost count. Another secret mechanism allows the flower pedestal to lift out of the box, and there is a little secret compartment under the flower. Look carefully, and you will find eight more secret caches well disguised inside the box, each with its own wood species theme. Now we are up to nine hidden compartments – but there is one more, a secret drawer hidden in the base. The artistry and detail applied to the box are truly unique.

Handmade oak wood flower

The cocktail pairing with which to toast this magnificent box was rather easy to come up with, because there is a classic cocktail called the “Chrysanthemum”. Often credited to Harry Craddock, one of the forefathers of the pre-Prohibition era, from his 1930 Savoy Cocktail book, the drink can be found even earlier, in Hugo Ensslin’s Recipes for Mixed Drinks, 1916. Thus the true provenance of the drink is obscure, but it was clearly popular in the early twentieth century. These days, “low ABV” (alcohol by volume) drinks, with lower proof due to the use of liqueurs and aromatized wines, are trendy, but they are nothing new. The Chrysanthemum is such a classic, which features the honey herbal liqueur Benedictine with anise flavored absinthe, balanced together by a backbone of dry vermouth.

Spider Chrysanthemum cocktail

Benedictine is an herbal French liqueur dating back to 1510 which features angelica root, hyssop and lemon balm among the 27 different ingredients. It has subtle flavors of baking spice and vanilla too, and is quite sweet. The bitterness of absinthe is a counter to this in the cocktail, and vermouth is always a good way to bring harmony to such a drink. The combination works best using the Savoy recipe, with less Benedictine and more vermouth. I made a modern variation on this drink by Boston mixologist Fred Yarm a while back called “Undercover Angel” (which I paired with Wil Strijbos’ Angel Box), and continued along that theme for this pairing as well. Starting with the original recipe, the Spider variation swaps Oloroso sherry for the main vermouth, and splits the Benedictine with sweet grapefruit vermouth. It’s sensational, if I do say so (I do, I do). Chrysanthemums symbolize optimism and joy. It has been said that placing a single petal at the bottom of a glass of wine will impart a long and healthy life. Here’s to that – cheers!

I can't remain mum about this pair

Chrysanthemum (original Savoy recipe c. 1930)

2 oz. dry vermouth

1 oz. Bénédictine

3 dashes absinthe

Spider Chrysanthemum (adapted from Fred Yarm)

1 ½ oz Oloroso sherry

¾ oz grapefruit vermouth

¾ oz Benedictine

3 dashes absinthe

Stir together with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a lemon spider mum.