07.10.2009
Signed by Chinese artist Lu Hao, the car will be auctioned on the 3rd of November at a special Gala Auction Event hosted by Ferrari in Beijing. This exclusive car follows the announcement in September of a small series of specially-designed 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition models which won wide acclaim.
This one-off car incorporates a number of the features of the China Limited Edition cars, a very limited series of less than a dozen cars finished in two-tone Rosso Fuoco with silver roof and characterised by unique Chinese design elements.
This one-off model represents an even more exclusive version, thanks to a very special exterior finish which draws inspiration from Ge Kiln porcelain of the Song Dynasty. Lu Hao has blended traditional design elements with Ferrari’s styling to create a truly unique vehicle using a ‘cracked’ glaze pattern which is elegantly coloured and with clearly defined cracks etched at different depths. Thankfully the donor 599 GTB is a little more robust!
Only a few hundred pieces of Ge Kiln porcelain exist today, all of which are priceless treasures. The “cracked2 glaze pattern has the lustre of jade and is often used to symbolise the qualities of a true gentleman. Porcelain is one of China’s most distinctive ancient arts which was brought to the West via the Silk Road thousands of years ago. Using Ge Kin porcelain as the inspiration for the one-off version is a perfect complement to Ferrari’s China Limited Edition Model.
As one of China’s most successful and influential contemporary artists, Lu Hao has exhibited his work in major museums and galleries around the world. For this project he drew inspiration from China’s rich cultural heritage, and as a Ferrari owner, he has a particularly intimate connection with the brand.
Part of the proceeds generated from the sale of this car will be used on an educational sponsor programme aimed to help young Chinese students in the automotive engineering field.
NOTE: These are such stunning images that we’ve made them available in 1500 x 759px size to provide you with a new desktop background.
About Steve Davies
Steve is a media, venture, and technology advisor and a former Partner at KPMG Consulting, PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Managing Partner at EIM - his clients range from global web and media companies to small start-ups. He formed Drivers Republic (DR) in 2007, the UK's first digital automotive magazine, with a team of EVO and Autocar writers before creating SkiddMark, and also writes as a guest contributor on Unruly Media’s Meme Machine blog and for Econsultancy’s digital marketing blog.
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