At Rolls Royce, the only Limit is your Imagination

Since 1904, Rolls-Royce has created perfectly handcrafted motor cars that represent the zenith in luxury motor vehicles. The company has always followed the ethos of founder Sir Henry Royce to 'take the best that exists and make it better and when it doesn't exist, design it'. Driven by their motto - “The only limit is your imagination”, Rolls Royce continues to stay committed to true bespoke products and strive to meet as many of their customers’ requests.

 

As a result of one such customer request, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Australia partnered with high-end Australian company Boucher & Co to produce a locally-inspired work of art after a customer had discussed the idea. The interior of the motor car, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, has been commissioned with an exotic Shagreen material comprising stingray hide derived from a sustainable source.

 

With a smooth pebbled texture, Shagreen has been used throughout history as rare, Art Deco inspired leather for luxury brand furniture, jewellery and interiors. With the testing and co-operation of the Home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Goodwood, England, Boucher & Co has now successfully delivered the first super-luxury motor car to incorporate Shagreen. The project took eight months to complete.

 

From their workshop in Toowoomba, Australia, David Boucherand his elite team of craftsmen have been designing and hand crafting beautiful one-off pieces of luxury furniture since 1977. However it was Boucher’s specialisation in Contemporary Art Deco style that prompted the relationship to develop further between the artisan and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

 

In early 2013, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ General Manager Dan Balmer met with David Boucher during the launch of the Art Deco Collection Ghost – one of an exclusive collection inspired by the Art Deco movement – in Sydney Australia. A shared appreciation for the art deco movement brought about an interest in the high quality bespoke furniture produced by Boucher, and the applicability of his inspirations to the interior of a Rolls-Royce car.

 

Ghost and the Shagreen Coachwork:

The process of sanding the stingray hide transforms it to Shagreen. First used by the ancient Egyptians, it was later brought to Europe in the 17th century and popularised into fashion trends. In recent times it has become synonymous with the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and today holds a natural association with exquisite quality, and is the height of exotic luxury.

 

Both supple and durable, the material holds a delightful natural pattern that dazzles when inlaid in different styles, with an almost pearlescent appearance. On closer inspection subtle natural grains provide a delicate texture that can almost be felt underneath the lacquer, now to be seen shimmering on the dashboard of Rolls-Royce motor cars.

 

About Shagreen:

The material is sourced from a species of Stingray called Dasyatis Bleekeri. It is not an endangered or threatened species, furthermore it is sustainable. These marine Stingrays are mainly found in South Asia and South East Asia, especially in the Thai Gulf and Andaman Sea. In these regions Stingrays are consumed as protein food, so the hides used for this project are by-products of this existing sustainable farming practice.

 

About Boucher & Co:

Boucher & Co design and build personalised one of luxury furniture for Amazing Homes and Super Yachts & pinnacle Coachwork for Rolls-Royce owners.

 

Over the past 36 years Boucher & Co have forged a global reputation for excellence, with their fine art furniture being acquired by Royalty, Hollywood movie stars, heads of state and captains of industry throughout Australia, Asia, Europe and America. From their workshop in Toowoomba, Australia, David Boucher and this elite team of craftsmen Boucher & Co's bespoke furniture draws heavily on inspiration from the Art Deco period and features that style's signature materials in particular Macassar, ebony and Shagreen* in many of its designs.

 

Boucher & Co's customised furniture draws heavily on inspiration from the Art Deco period and features that style's signature materials, in particular Macassar ebony and shagreen* in many of its designs.Boucher & Co provide a truly custom-made service that reflects their client’s style, status and passion to buy ‘only the best’.

 

Boucher & Co's custom-made furniture draws heavily on inspiration from the Art Deco period and features that style's signature materials, in particular Macassar ebony and shagreen* in many of its designs. They specialise in Contemporary Art Deco style utilising rare and exotic timbers and other precious materials.

 

Their craftsmen design and create by hand the many mechanisms for secret compartments, hinges, handles and metal castings. Every item of furniture is signed and engraved with a registered number and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

 

About David Boucher:

David Boucher is recognised as one of the finest bespoke fine art furniture makers in the world today. Boucher, a self-taught artisan has been making super luxurious custom-made furniture pieces since 1977. He is inspired largely by his hero, French master designer Jaques-Emile Ruhlman.

 

Further information:

You can find all our press releases and press kits, as well as a wide selection of high resolution, downloadable photographs and video footage at our media website, PressClub. You can also find the communications team at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on Twitter.

 

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