Rolls-Royce pays homage to China (its very important market) and to that country's cultural heritage by presenting four exclusive 'bespoke' models dedicated to the Year of the Dragon on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.
Photo story The Bespoke Rolls artists add the Chinese symbolism of the Dragon - Photo - Ansa.it
Three Phantom Extended limousines and a Cullinan SUV shine under the light of the lanterns and the flashes of the fireworks.
The cars are characterized by details meticulously crafted by hand and which are identically inspired by the traditional symbol of the dragon, associated in the Chinese zodiac with the concepts of strength, health, harmony and luck.
Each of the four Rolls-Royce cars - destined for customers in three continents - includes an exclusive work of art placed on the dashboard panel in front of the front passenger.
This is a hand-painted dragon and took over two weeks of painstaking work by a dedicated Rolls-Royce artist to create, each a distinctive exploration of the color red.
To create this complex, three-dimensional pattern, the artist used different shades of red, applied one on top of the other in four individual steps.
First, the initial outline of the symbol was painted using the 'feathering' technique to create a flame effect, as if the dragon was suspended in fire, reflecting its festive and celebratory nature.
This was followed by three more layers in darker shades of red, in which the artist added more detail and depth.
Each of these colors was individually mixed using different proportions of red, white, yellow and brown, with a process that took three days to complete.
The result at the end of the painting is that the four layers - each covered in a transparent lacquer - combine to create a 3D effect so realistic that the dragon appears to have been carved into the dashboard panel.
These four bespoke examples also feature the first-ever depiction of a dragon in the traditional Starlight sky lining.
There are 677 LEDs which, inserted into the internal panel of the pavilion, create the effect of a firmament in which the stars outline the silhouette of the dragon.
The same symbol is found in the precious embroidery that adorns the headrests of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended and Cullinan commissioned from the bespoke department of the Goodwood company.
For each embroidery - underlines the press release - it took 5,449 stitches added by hand and more than 20 hours to complete this precious customization.
"In the luxury sector, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a leader in creating products inspired by international cultures and traditions - said Jonathan Simms, head of the Bespoke division - and does so by incorporating designs, patterns, materials and colors that resonate and have a true personal meaning for our customers."
" And these specific four bespoke creations, inspired by the Year of the Dragon, celebrate the international reach and influence of Chinese culture, which transcends national borders. They are a powerful expression of our respect for Chinese culture, but also a statement contemporary and minimalist in line with the trends we see among luxury consumers around the world."
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA