Rolls-Royce Unveils Bespoke Models Honouring Ancient Chinese Mural Art

Rolls-Royce introduces three exclusive Bespoke cars inspired by Dunhuang’s thousand-year-old murals, blending heritage with modern craftsmanship.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a unique trio of Bespoke vehicles inspired by the ancient murals of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. These sanctuaries, created over a thousand years ago at the crossroads of the Silk Road, hold one of the world's largest collections of Buddhist-era wall paintings and sculptures. This new project reinterprets that heritage, blending historical artistry with Rolls-Royce's modern craftsmanship.

The commission was conceived through Private Office Shanghai, an exclusive space where clients bring their most personal and complex visions to life. Here, the idea emerged for a trio comprising Phantom Extended, Black Badge Cullinan Series II, and the all-electric Black Badge Spectre. Each model introduces new, exclusive exterior colours and decorative elements that reflect the aesthetics of the ancient murals. The central artistic theme, Silken Spirit, was created by Bespoke Designer Shuai Feng, inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy and the flowing forms of imperial silk.

Phantom Extended stands out with its two-tone Ningye Purple and English White finish. Inside, a hand-painted Gallery artwork on black leather was crafted using a technique reminiscent of traditional Chinese reduction block printing. Bespoke Artist Chloe Dowsett applied each layer with a fine sable brush, building depth and rhythm across the surface. The Starlight Headliner features more than 1,300 fibre-optic 'stars' and hundreds of shooting stars, creating a celestial atmosphere.

The Black Badge Cullinan Series II features a striking Danqian Pink finish and an interior decorated with 107,000 micro-perforations designed to evoke shifting cloud formations. The Silken Spirit motif appears in stainless steel inlays and as an illuminated graphic in the Starlight Headliner. Meanwhile, the Black Badge Spectre showcases a dramatic two-tone body in Qingshan Blue and Diamond Black, an illuminated grille, and a split turquoise and black interior. Illuminated treadplates and Starlight Doors enhance its distinctive presence.

This project follows a lineage of cultural Bespoke commissions from Rolls-Royce, including Phantom Dragon and Phantom Cherry Blossom. These creations demonstrate how the marque increasingly draws inspiration from historic art, reimagining it for contemporary expressions of luxury. Similar initiatives are expected to continue, fostering new cultural dialogues through design and craftsmanship.