Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a spectacular one-of-one Phantom Extended for a client in China. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this bespoke Phantom Dragon exemplifies Rolls-Royce’s mastery in marrying traditional iconography with its signature aesthetic, appealing to a new generation of luxury connoisseurs in China.
This masterpiece reimagines the legendary tale of two dragons and a pearl, a motif rich with cultural and symbolic significance in East Asian art and literature. By fusing Chinese culture with modern luxury, Rolls-Royce continues to captivate a discerning clientele, particularly younger consumers driving the growth of China’s luxury market.
Crafted by Rolls-Royce creatives in China, the Phantom Dragon is a tribute to a timeless cultural emblem, elegantly reflecting the personal tastes and sensibilities of its commissioning client. The design draws inspiration from a 3,000-year-old legend of two dragons, guardians of the human realm, who were rewarded with a divine pearl for their virtuous deeds. Their selflessness and mutual respect prompted the gods to gift them a second pearl, which they absorbed before ascending as deities. Representing power, good fortune, and harmony, the dragons and the pearl embody the balance of Yin and Yang, purity, and perfection.
“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. Blending local Chinese culture with international aesthetics allows us to create truly unique and contemporary products with real depth and substance, like this extraordinary motor car,” said Martina Starke, Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
The Gallery, which runs the full width of the fascia, houses bespoke marquetry, made of 297 individual pieces and four different wood species. This artisan work, taking three months to complete, depicts the two dragons swirling through clouds, guarding the pearl embodied by the bespoke clock.
The base layer is meticulously crafted from Smoked Eucalyptus, with shapes outlined in Sycamore veneer, each line just 0.5 mm wide. These are inlaid with Ash Burr, selected for its organic grain that beautifully resembles the texture of clouds. Black Bolivar veneer adds ‘shadowing,’ creating an illusion of depth that makes the dragons seem as if they’re floating above the surface.
This commission exemplifies exceptional woodcraft, featuring high-gloss Smoked Eucalyptus details and Canadel door panels made from natural, open-pore Smoked Eucalyptus.
The theme extends throughout the interior with Ardent Red and black leather Serenity seats, headrests embroidered with the client’s family name in traditional Chinese calligraphy, and a mesmerizing Starlight Headliner showcasing 1,344 fiber-optic lights forming an abstract dragon duo. This majestic celestial composition comprises 768 red and 576 white fibre-optic lights, each individually hand-fitted and surrounded by 24 shooting ‘stars’.
Externally, the Phantom is finished in Iced Diamond Black, delivering a shimmering satin effect that contrasts the dramatic interior.
