The Middle Eastern region offers many inspiring points for creative stimulation. From daring contemporary architecture to ornate traditional crafts, inspiration is in abundance.
Arabian Gulf Phantom adopts the rich colours and historical narrative of pearl diving in the Middle East. The Turchese exterior hue is evocative of the vibrant local waters, while the Andalusian White upper two-tone recalls the purity of natural pearls, alluding to the story within. An Arctic White coachline introduces a hand-painted Nautilus shell motif that is artistically embedded into the fabric of the motor car's interior design.
On opening the coach doors, the Gallery prominently portrays a sense of movement, inspired by swelling oceans. The artwork, a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and British artist Helen Amy Murray, encapsulates the very essence of the motor car. A Mother of Pearl clock punctuates the vibrant Turchese Gallery, providing the perfect counterpoint to it's sculptural aesthetic. The silk appliqué lines flow through the Gallery as though cradling the precious mineral stones of the clock.
On reclining in the rear compartment and familiarising oneself with the luxurious surrounds, a tone-on-tone embroidered Nautilus shell becomes apparent on Phantom's rear doors. One also encounters the elegant Nautilus shell motif in delicate Mother of Pearl marquetry, on the picnic tables' fascia. Once deployed, the picnic tables provide a sense of delightful theatre. A supremely complex piece of marquetry incorporating generously applied Mother of Pearl is revealed on the picnic table-top, presented as though a hidden artwork is being discovered.
A large swathe of colour matched Turchese leather sweeps across Phantom's expansive roof, enveloping the occupant in an atmospheric cocoon, punctuated by the coveted starlight headliner consisting of 1,344 hand-woven fibre optic lights.