Rolls-Royce Celebrates 100 Years of Phantom with Exquisite Woodcraft Mastery

To commemorate this milestone, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is set to unveil a special Private Collection, introducing three groundbreaking wood craftsmanship techniques for the first time: 3D marquetry, 3D ink printing, and gold leafing.

Bespoke Wood Artistry

According to Rolls-Royce, the wooden panels in the Phantom are more than mere interior elements; they narrate a century-long legacy. Artisans begin with hand-drawn sketches, digitize them, and then meticulously recreate them on precious wood. Each detail captures iconic landmarks, moments, and journeys intertwined with the Phantom’s legend.

The centerpiece is the door panel, dubbed the “most intricate in Rolls-Royce history.” Crafting this masterpiece alone took artisans a year of research and execution. It seamlessly blends maps, routes, landscapes, flora, and prototype vehicle imagery into a cohesive design.

Exquisite Materials and Techniques

The primary material is Blackwood, a rare wood with unique grain patterns that reflect light from various angles. Large custom-cut veneers are tailored to fit the Phantom’s expansive door surfaces. Each veneer is selected based on its grain to match specific sections of the artwork, ensuring uniformity in color and light reflection.

To maintain visual continuity, metal elements like speaker grilles are omitted, replaced by precision-milled grooves in the wood. The entire surface is then dyed to achieve flawless consistency.

Laser Engraving and 3D Ink Printing

Portions of the narrative are laser-engraved onto the wood at three varying depths. Deeper grooves create darker areas, contrasting with lighter surfaces to produce a subtle motion effect as viewing angles shift.

Simultaneously, Rolls-Royce has pioneered 3D ink printing on wood. Layers of ink are stacked to render intricate patterns and details with precision, complementing the laser engravings and adding depth to the artwork.

3D Marquetry and Gold Leafing

Departing from traditional flat marquetry, Rolls-Royce introduces 3D marquetry, where motifs are raised, carved, and enhanced with 3D ink, offering a tactile experience. This transforms the Phantom’s interior into a multisensory masterpiece.

For the first time, 24-carat gold leaf is applied to the wooden interior. Artisans meticulously layer gold sheets as thin as 0.1 micrometers, precisely cut to form map routes on the engraved surface. This process demands traditional craftsmanship combined with advanced technology to ensure durability in varying temperature and humidity conditions.

To master this technique, five artisans from Rolls-Royce’s Surface Craftsmanship Center underwent intensive training at West Dean College, a renowned institution for fine craftsmanship in West Sussex, England.

The Pinnacle of Modern Craftsmanship

Rolls-Royce asserts that the fusion of laser engraving, 3D ink printing, 3D marquetry, and gold leafing has elevated automotive wood artistry to unprecedented heights. The door panels of the Phantom are not merely decorative but symbolic of a century-long heritage.

Every detail reflects Rolls-Royce’s enduring philosophy: employing the rarest materials and the most skilled artisans to create timeless masterpieces. The Phantom Private Collection, chosen to debut these techniques, epitomizes the fusion of legacy and innovation.

For over a century, the Phantom has set the global standard for automotive luxury. With this commemorative collection, Rolls-Royce not only honors its past but also charts a new course for craftsmanship in the automotive industry, transforming wood—a classic material—into a vibrant storytelling medium for the modern era.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)