The Summer Palace

The anteroom was used as a waiting room for Catherine’s guests and visitors. It is a light room partially decorated in the Chinese style. In the 18th century the walls were upholstered in Chinese silk. The original Chinese silk wall covering is now exhibited on the wall panels.

In the middle of the room there is a Russian table with a tabletop decorated with a representation of an eagle (wood inlay). A walnut case by Hamburg craftsmen was purchased on the order of Peter the Great. The cornice of the case is decorated with the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden high-relief.

A single door leads to the room of the lady-in-waiting whose duty was to attend to Tzarina.