The story of Catherine the Great is a saga packed with intrigue, accomplishments, and a side of risqué décor that has fuelled centuries of gossip.
Russia’s longest-reigning empress was a powerhouse of Enlightenment ideals, fiercely modernising the empire and establishing cultural and educational reforms that echoed throughout Europe.
But there’s a particularly salacious chapter in her legend that has people asking:
Did Catherine commission a collection of furniture that was as bold as her reign?
Where Did the “Erotic Cabinet” Rumour Begin?
For those unfamiliar with Catherine’s legend, here’s the juicy part: she’s rumoured to have ordered custom furniture adorned with explicit imagery.
Imagine a chair with, let’s just say, anatomically inspired carvings. This so-called “cabinet” wasn’t an official collection but rather a rumoured personal gallery filled with furniture allegedly covered in explicit motifs.
The story claims Catherine had a taste for décor that matched her liberated views, using these pieces to express, well, a bit of unfiltered personality.
The Legendary Photos and the Wehrmacht Twist: What’s the Evidence?
The evidence? Historians can’t confirm it, but two grainy, black-and-white photos of suggestively decorated furniture supposedly emerged during World War II.
Legend has it that these images were snapped by German soldiers who stumbled upon the collection during the Nazi invasion of Russia.
But here’s the twist: the invasion timeline doesn’t match up with when these pieces were supposedly found, casting doubt on the whole tale.
Yet, these mysterious photos have kept the rumours alive, fuelling our imagination about what Catherine’s “bedroom” might have looked like.
Was This Really Catherine’s Taste? A Look at Her Life
This furniture tale isn’t just about a royal’s taste in décor—it also reflects how Catherine’s detractors viewed her.
She was powerful, self-assured, and scandalously progressive, qualities that made her a target for the salacious rumours that have only grown with time.
Catherine had numerous lovers, perhaps up to 22, but the story of her erotic cabinet seems to be a clever piece of propaganda intended to paint her as morally questionable.
These stories, including the infamous (and widely debunked) rumour of her unusual relations with a horse, were particularly embraced by her opponents, who felt that nothing was too far when it came to tarnishing her image.
Did She or Didn’t She? Why Historians Are Sceptical
While the idea of Catherine the Great’s “cabinet” of X-rated furniture is tantalising, many historians suggest it’s just that—an idea, not a fact.
The absence of documented proof, and the anachronistic WWII detail, leave most scholars sceptical.
The likelihood is that this tale was as fabricated as the infamous (and equally debunked) “horse rumour” that has trailed her legacy.
Historical evidence points to a much more nuanced figure who prioritised politics over parties and societal reform over scandalous interiors.
Why This Legend Lives On
In some ways, the rumours surrounding Catherine the Great highlight her lasting impact.
Even in the 21st century, her life and legend remain far from ordinary.
These stories reveal more about how society viewed a powerful woman than about the empress herself.
Whether or not the furniture existed, Catherine’s legacy does—in her art patronage, her educational reforms, and the indelible mark she left on Russian history.
For a closer look into the fascinating myths around her life, explore the Legends of Catherine the Great here.