Catherine The Great Furniture Collection In Detail

Introduction

There are some specific things in this world which are so beautiful and mesmerizing that they are impossible to forget. Similarly, the furniture collection of Catherine The Great (Former empress of Russia) is remembered and is discussed to this day. As an empress, she had quite a collection of furniture which has fascinated humans in all eras. The furniture that she had was so distinctive and unique that it was unmatched. 

According to sources, her furniture is believed to have been destroyed during the time of the Second World War. However, many photographs have managed to stay intact. Hence, acting as proof of the elegant furniture collection of Catherine. It can even be claimed that she has left a solid legacy in furniture design with the help of her collection. Stay tuned to find out more information about the same. This is a detailed blog discovering facts about the Catherine The Great Furniture Collection.

An Overview – Catherine The Great Furniture 

In the world of Russian history, Catherine II a.k.a Catherine The Great is a very strong and influential personality. She had the prominence and relevance of a different level. In simple words, Catherine is a well-known ruler of Russia. To be specific, Catherine was the empress of Russia. You will get to know more about her ahead. Aside from being an empress, Catherine The Great also earned an undying legacy in furniture design. She used to have a very unique collection of furniture. Many people around the world have fallen in love with Catherine’s taste for furniture. In every aspect you can think of, her collection was great.

A major highlight of Catherine The Great Furniture has been the finest quality of materials and fabrics used. Moreover, the adornments and other small exquisite details boosted the appeal even further. Undeniably, the furniture collection effectively showcases the loyal lifestyle Catherine lived. All pieces of her furniture are known to be shiny and fascinating. 

Catherine The Great Furniture – Essential facts about the empress “Catherine The Great”

• Formerly, Catherine used to be known as Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst. 
• Her names include Catherine II and Catherine The Great. 
• She was born back on May 2, 1729. 
• Catherine reigned over Russia’s Motherland as their empress. To be specific, she started ruling on July 9, 1762. Her death on November 17, 179,6 marked the end
• According to sources, she overthrew her husband to come to power in Russia. The name of her husband is Peter III. 
• During her reign, Catherine promoted culture, science, theatres, universities, etc.
• Surely, she managed to make Russia one of the great and biggest powers in Europe. 
• Her birth place is Stettin, Kingdom of Prussia, Holy Roman Empire. Whereas, her demise happened in Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire. 
• The name of Catherine’s father is Christian August. He was the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. 
• Her mother is Joanna Elisabeth. 
• Lastly, Catherine’s burial site is located in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Saints Petersburg.

Catherine’s love for European Style Furniture (Catherine The Great Furniture)

According to sources, Catherine had a fascination with European-style furniture. She was always very enthusiastic about picking up different furniture items. Her style was very luxurious, flashy, and comfortable. Evidently, she had a specific fondness for European-style types of furniture such as French Rococo and Neoclassical. Catherine always wanted to keep her interior very lavish. And, her furniture collection was a huge contribution to the whole interior and palaces. She always appreciated European artists for their innovations and skills. In conclusion, you can especially notice the French influence in her furniture collection. 

Catherine The Great Furniture – Key features and characteristics

As has been mentioned, only the most finest and luxurious materials were used to craft the furniture items in Catherine’s collection. It is expected for a Russian empress to have an exquisite taste in everything. However, her collections are quite legendary and thought-provoking. Various kinds of exotic and rich woods were used in terms of materials. For example, Mahogany, Rosewood, etc. In addition, gilded accents, precious metals/gems, ivories, pearls, etc were used to adorn her furniture. Details such as carvings, marquetry, and other decorative elements drive the appeal of Catherine’s furniture collection even further. Often, mythological figures, floral designs, and classic columns were used to decorate. 

The influence of French style and neoclassicism is pretty evident in her collection as well. You can notice how there are symmetrical and geometrical designs in several of her furniture items. Certainly, a lot of influence has been drawn from Greek and Roman art. Aside from all the influence, the integration of Russian craftsmanship contributed a lot to matching Catherine’s personality. The top 3 most popular furniture items from her collections are mentioned below:

• The Amber Cabinet
• Gilded Thrones and Chairs
• Bureau Du Roi

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the former empress of Russia Catherine The Great had a great taste in furniture. That is the reason why people around the world are still fascinated with her collection. She collected the most artful and beautiful furniture items. A lot of furniture designs are inspired by Catherine’s furniture photos.

FAQs

Q – When was Catherine born?

2nd May 1729

Q – When did Catherine’s reign as empress of Russia end?

1796

Q – Who was her husband?

Peter III is surely the name of her husband who got overthrown by Catherine.

Q – Who succeeded her as the emperor?

Paul I was certainly Catherine’s successor.

Q – Which woods were used in her furniture collection?

Indeed, Mahogany and Rose Wood were used.

[AUTHOR – PIYUSH CHAUHAN]