Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled Phantom Hummingbird, a Phantom Extended Private Commission featuring the first use of abalone shell marquetry in a Rolls-Royce motor car.
Presented in Goodwood, West Sussex, on September 15, 2026, the bespoke commission was created as a private tribute to the client’s wife and curated by Private Office Dubai. The design takes inspiration from the hummingbird, a symbol of joy, resilience and the beauty found in everyday moments.
The commission uses abalone shell alongside mother-of-pearl to recreate the iridescent appearance of hummingbird feathers. The natural nacre of the abalone produces a distinctive blue-green lustre that changes as it catches the light.
A hand-painted hummingbird also features on the exterior Coachline, extending the theme beyond the cabin.
45 Hours of Marquetry Craftsmanship
The interior marquetry is spread across three panels. Each Picnic Table features a hummingbird made from 53 individual pieces of abalone shell and mother-of-pearl, including 18 pieces used for the wings.
A botanical composition made from 84 individual pieces appears on the Rear Waterfall panel between the two rear seats.
Developing the intricate work took more than nine months. Abalone shell presented a particular challenge because of its fine and brittle nature, requiring Rolls-Royce designers, engineers and craftspeople to develop new techniques for cutting and fitting the material.
Six different iterations were explored before the final technique was established.
Each piece is laser-cut 0.06 mm larger than its required final dimensions to account for the laser’s burn margin. Craftspeople then file each fragment by hand until it fits precisely against its neighbouring pieces.
The hummingbird wings required especially detailed hand-finishing to ensure there were no visible seams.
Once the pieces were cut and fitted, each Picnic Table and the Rear Waterfall panel required a further eight hours of work, resulting in 45 hours of finishing across the three panels.
An Interior Inspired by Nature
The marquetry is set against Ash Burr veneer, while Silver Birch is incorporated into the Picnic Table designs. The Silver Birch was cut from a single log selected for its grain pattern, which was carefully assessed to complement the compositions.
The cabin is finished with Creme Light leather, accented with Moccasin and Tan detailing. Seashell carpets and a Starlight Headliner complete the interior palette.
The exterior continues the natural theme with a two-tone finish combining Wildberry on the lower body and White Sands on the upper body.
A hand-applied White Sands Coachline separates the two colours, with a hummingbird motif appearing along the length of the car.
According to Rolls-Royce Head of Bespoke Phil Fabre de la Grange, the introduction of abalone shell created a new creative and technical challenge for the Bespoke Collective, resulting in a commission designed to capture the changing colours and intricate beauty of the hummingbird.
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