Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon: Intricate Dragon-inspired marquetry
By CARSIFU | 17 January 2025LONDON: Commissioned by a client from China, the unique Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon offers a contemporary rendition of the ancient Chinese legend of two dragons with a pearl.
In statement, the British luxury marque said the Phantom Dragon was curated by Rolls-Royce creatives based in China, and the car "is a tribute to this enduring cultural symbol that also captures the commissioning client’s personal sensibilities and tastes."
"Like every Bespoke motor car, this magnificent Phantom Extended is a testament to the skills and creativity of our Bespoke designers, engineers, and craftspeople. This commission features a Bespoke Gallery with a floating effect that makes the dragon appear as if it is formed from clouds of smoke — a design achieved through the intricate art of marquetry, one of the most demanding techniques applied in a motor car interior," said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars head of Bespoke design Martina Starke.
"Phantom Dragon highlights the importance of our presence in China through the private office in Shanghai. Having a dedicated Rolls-Royce team in this region gives us a unique understanding of, and connection to, one of the world’s most significant luxury markets," added Starke.
The Gallery, which runs the full width of the fascia, houses a Bespoke marquetry, made of 297 individual pieces and four different wood species.
An artisan in Goodwood, England spent three months creating this striking feature, which involves intricately cutting out veneer shapes, then assembling and fixing them by hand.
The artwork represents the two dragons, enclosed within swirling clouds, guarding the pearl embodied by the Bespoke clock itself.
The base layer is crafted from Smoked Eucalyptus; the outline of the shapes, only 0.5 mm wide, is rendered in Sycamore veneer and filled with Ash burr, carefully chosen for its natural grain that mimics the texture of the clouds.
Black Bolivar veneer ‘shadows’ give the piece a sense of depth, making the dragons appear to be floating above the surface.
Exceptional woodcraft is expressed across the commission, including high gloss Smoked Eucalyptus elements, and Canadel door panels fashioned from natural open pore Smoked Eucalyptus.
This is complemented by Ardent Red and black leathers on the front and rear reclining Serenity seats respectively, and completed with the client’s family name in ancient Chinese calligraphy, meticulously embroidered onto the headrests in contrasting cotton thread.
The theme continues with the stunning Bespoke Starlight Headliner depicting an abstract representation of two dragons, rendered in red and white.
This majestic celestial composition comprises 768 red and 576 white fibre-optic lights, each individually hand-fitted and surrounded by 24 shooting ‘stars’.
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Autos Rolls-Royce
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