The Empire Room features furniture in the neo-classical austere style of the early 19th century
that, due to the influence of the Emperor Napoleon, spread throughout Europe. Varieties of
noble wood like mahogany, ebony or cedar were used, but also velvet and marble. Straight lines
and right angles – along with bronze appliqués, bronze fittings in the form of neo-classical
decorative elements (lions, sphinxes, laurel or oak leaves) – were typical features of this style,

which replaced the carved ornamentation of the previous Aachen-Liège style. A classic example
of Empire style is one of the most popular items of furniture in this era: a bureau with a built-in
musical organ.