Originally there were five antechambers in the southern section of Catherine Palace. These were elaborate waiting rooms for visiting guests and people with an appointment with the empress. Two were later converted into other halls. This room is the Third Antechamber. When it was remodeled for Catherine the Great, she ordered the installation of freestanding stoves. They were faced with blue and white Delftware tiles imported from the Netherlands. Apparently the empress wanted to keep her guests warm while playing billiards in this room. The doorway led to Arabesque Hall and the private staterooms of Catherine II.
