Have you ever wondered why people are still talking about Catherine the great furniture? Catherine the Great was the most amazing leader who ruled Russia as empress from 1762 to 1796. Catherine was very smart, and behind the politics, she had a love of culture and also rumors of scandalous erotic furniture such as chairs and tables with intimate designs placed in her private rooms. In this blog, we will guide you through why everyone is talking about Catherine the great furniture.
Who was Catherine the Great?
Catherine II ruled Russia from the year 1762 to 1796 and marked a golden age of culture. She was born as Sophie von Anhalt Zerbst in Prussia in 1729. She married Peter III at the age of 16 and later seized power. Catherine’s leadership westernised Russia, developed palaces, and expanded its huge art collection that is placed in the Hermitage Museum.
Catherine has always supported educational initiatives, founded schools for women, and collected many paintings, books, and gems. But many lovers sparked the gossip that depletes her achievements. The critics recognised her as a nymphomaniac and utilised sex rumors to attack her empire and rule.
She was recognized for:
- Powerful political leadership
- Guide for education and science
- Love for art, books, and architecture
- Extending museum and royal collections
Catherine the Great Personal Life
Catherine got married to Peter III, but their marriage could not last long. She found that her husband was immature and found her unattractive because he used to play with toys. In her life, Catherine has 22 lovers, mostly young men, but she has power. Later, she overthrew Peter from the throne and became the empress of Russia.
Catherine’s power increased when she got into a relationship with Grigory Orlov, who was the main architect of the coup that overthrew her husband. Gregory was an officer in the Russian Imperial Army and later became the lover of Catherine. Her main lovers include Sergei Saltykov and Grigory Orlov. Stainslaw Poniatowski, Grigory Potemkin, and Grigory Potemkin.
| Key Lovers of Catherine the Great | Role in Her Life | Political Impact |
| Sergei Saltykov | Early affair | Possible father of Paul I |
| Grigory Orlov | Coup leader | Became count, general-in-chief |
| Stanisław Poniatowski | Lover | Made king of Poland |
| Grigory Potemkin | Long-term | Military leader, empire expander |
| Grigory Potempki | Later favorite | Cast in porcelain for her |
What do you mean by Catherine the Great Furniture?
If we talk about Catherine the Great Furniture, then it means the claimed pieces of furniture decorated with sexual images. The pieces are mostly portrayed as:
- Chairs made with sexual images
- Tables depicting erotic scenes
- Furniture designed for sexual acts.
As per the famous =stories, these pieces were kept in her private room that was only used by Catherine. Some of the contemporary articles claimed that the furniture was explored by the soldiers after World War II.
Origins of Erotic Furniture Myth
The gossip about Catheirne furniture did not feature during lifetime, but it became famous for many years after Catherine’s death.
Political Enemies and Rumour
Catheire had various enemies, both internal and external to Russia. As a strong and independent woman, she was mostly criticised for her personal life through spreading sexual rumors about her, which spoiled her image. Several stories depicted her as a person who is obsessed with sex and mentally ill. As time went by, the rumors became very extreme.
Limited Modern Evidence
There are no formal records from the Catherine times that have mentioned the erotic furniture. Russian royal collections were documented, and nothing featured in those records. The furniture stories usually featured in:
- Satirical Writings
- Political Agenda
- Sensational Articles
Golden Age of Russian Culture
Catheirne changed St. Petersburg with traditional buildings and cultural hubs. She called herself a “Glutton for Art”, buying works by Rembrandt, Ruben,and Raphael. Catherine’s art collection contained 4000 paintings and 38000 books. She commissioned porcelain such as the Flora Dancia service and developed libraries. The Tsarskoye Selo and Gatchina palaces have her treasures. This increased Russia’s image and reputation.
| Catherine’s Verified Collections | Items | Location Today |
| Paintings | 4,000+ | Hermitage Museum |
| Books | 38,000 | Hermitage Library |
| Gemstones/Drawings | 10,000 each | Hermitage |
| Porcelain Service | Flora Danica | Various museums |
Famous 1941 Images and Proof
In the year 1941, Wehrmacht soldiers attacked Tsarskoye Selo apparently found and photographed a table as well as a chair. The black and white photos depicted unusual carvings, but the palace burned after spoiling the proof.
The images spread after World War II also some saying the Soviets took them. There is no official Wehrmacht report found. As per the historians, the attack began on 22 June 1941, which matched the timeline.
| Alleged Erotic Furniture Pieces | Details | Discovery Context |
| Erotic Table | Penis-shaped legs, carvings | Photographed in 1941 by soldiers |
| Erotic Chair | Explicit vulva/penis motifs | Same room, destroyed in fire |
| Wall Panels | Carved phalluses | Part of the “sex room” legend |
Catheirne Death Stories
There are some of the rumors that depict her death in an unusual way. Let’s see the narratives below:
Death While having sex with a horse
When she was 67 years old in the year 1796, an urban legend claimed that Catherine died because of having sex with a horse. The harness of the horse broke, and she was killed. This is the story, and not confirmed yet.
Death while in the Bathroom
There is another story that Cathierined died as her toilet seat broke and collapsed from a stroke in the bathroom. The next day, she was found dead on the bed. This story was spread and taken as a joke by Aleksander Pushkin in one of his poems. There is also a assasination exist in the toilet seat by spring blades.
Myths and Facts about Catherine the Great
| Myths | Facts |
| Catherine the Great owned sexually explicit furniture | There is no credible historical proof that such furniture belonged to her |
| Erotic furniture was kept in secret palace rooms | No palace records or inventories support this claim |
| The furniture was officially discovered and documented | No museums or archives have verified ownership by Catherine |
| These stories come from Catherine’s lifetime | Most rumors appeared long after her death |
| The furniture reflects Catherine’s character | The stories were likely created to damage her reputation as a powerful woman ruler |
Conclusion
Catherine the Great furniture is a myth in history. The narrative is dramatic and catchy, but does not mark up to the serious historical investigation. There is no powerful evidence that these kinds of furnitures belongs to her. The myth features a blend of political agenda, gossips and contemporary internet rumors.
Article Code: CATTHE-MAG-001
