Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has long positioned craftsmanship as its defining language. With Phantom Arabesque, the marque extends that vocabulary into new territory — introducing the first fully laser-engraved bonnet in its history while paying tribute to Middle Eastern architectural heritage.
Curated by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Private Office Dubai, one of the brand’s invitation-only commissioning hubs, this one-of-one Phantom Extended explores the geometry and symbolism of mashrabiya — the intricate wooden latticework found across traditional houses, palaces and courtyards throughout the Middle East.
Architecture As Influence
Mashrabiya screens are both decorative and functional. Traditionally carved from wood, they create privacy by allowing occupants to look out without being seen, while simultaneously encouraging airflow and cooling interiors in warmer climates. Their geometric repetition has become one of the region’s most recognisable architectural motifs.
For Phantom Arabesque, that pattern becomes the conceptual thread running throughout the motor car. It appears most prominently on the bonnet — marking the first time Rolls-Royce has integrated laser engraving directly into its paintwork — but continues inside through marquetry, embroidery and subtle Bespoke detailing.
The result is not a literal translation of architecture into automotive form, but an interpretation of its qualities: light, privacy and layered depth.
A New Craft Technique
The laser-engraved bonnet engraving represents a significant technical development for Rolls-Royce. The newly patented process was refined over five years by the marque’s Exterior Surface Centre at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.
Rather than applying a motif onto the surface, the technique engraves directly into the paint layers themselves. The bonnet is first finished in a darker tone, sealed, and then coated in a lighter layer. The mashrabiya pattern is then engraved to microscopic precision, revealing the darker shade beneath. The depth — between 145 and 190 microns — creates a subtle three-dimensional texture that shifts as light moves across it.
Each engraved section is then hand-finished to achieve an even surface. The effect is restrained rather than overt, encouraging closer inspection rather than immediate spectacle.
The car’s exterior is presented in a two-tone Diamond Black and Silver finish, complemented by a single hand-painted coachline featuring a mashrabiya motif. Dark Chrome accents, an illuminated Pantheon grille and 22-inch part-polished wheels complete the composition.
Interior: Geometry In Wood And Light
Inside, the architectural narrative continues. The Gallery — the full-width glass fascia unique to Phantom — houses an intricate marquetry artwork crafted from Blackwood and Black Bolivar wood. The design echoes the same lattice geometry seen on the bonnet, creating visual continuity between exterior and cabin.
The interior palette remains deliberately restrained. Selby Grey and Black leathers, tonal embroidery and Starlight Doors trimmed with contrast stitching maintain a sense of calm precision. Illuminated treadplates reference the bonnet engraving motif, reinforcing the sense of cohesion.
A Singular Commission
Phantom Arabesque was commissioned for a client in the Middle East and delivered as a one-of-one creation. While the car itself will remain unique, the laser-engraving technique opens new possibilities for future Bespoke commissions.
More than a technical first, Phantom Arabesque reflects Rolls-Royce’s broader approach: translating regional identity and architectural language into contemporary craft. In doing so, it positions the motor car not merely as transport, but as a canvas — one capable of carrying cultural narratives as confidently as it carries its occupants.
(Images: Rolls-Royce)
