Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Phantom Hummingbird, a one-off Extended model commissioned through the Private Office Dubai. This vehicle marks the first time the manufacturer has utilized abalone shell marquetry in its interior design. The project was developed as a tribute to the owner's wife, with the design process requiring nine months of research before the final 45-hour assembly.
The interior features intricate motifs on picnic tables and the Rear Waterfall panel. The hummingbird design consists of 53 individual shell pieces, while the botanical elements are composed of 84 pieces. Due to the brittle nature of abalone, artisans had to develop specific cutting and setting techniques to manage the material's color-shifting properties.
The exterior of the Phantom Hummingbird features a bi-tone finish in Wildberry and White Sands, complemented by a hand-painted graphic that matches the interior marquetry. The vehicle is built on the Phantom Extended platform, which measures 235.5 inches in length with a 148.5-inch wheelbase. Standard models of this version typically start at approximately $600,000.
Rolls-Royce utilizes these bespoke commissions to experiment with unconventional materials and techniques. The company notes that such projects serve as a development hub for craftsmanship, allowing artisans to refine methods for working with rare elements like abalone, gold leaf, and specialized paints that would otherwise be difficult to implement in standard production.
