The in French Empire style which arose in France in the 1970s has been described as Napoleon's propaganda vehicle. Fashionable throughout Europe, the style is typified by interiors luxuriously draped with brilliant-coloured silk, rather like grand military tents, and furnished with rather massive plain-shaped pieces of furniture generously decorated with ormolu and gilt.
In France, as in England, this was a classical period. There are, however, other strong influences on Empire style. A note of antique grandeur was overlaid with motifs celebrating Napoleon's military prowess. Egyptian motifs became important after his campaigns in Egypt. Decorations included the sphinx and winged lion, Greek caryatids, the swan (Josephine's emblem was the black swan) and the Imperial eagle. Other motifs include stars, palmettes, lotus flowers, medallions, trophies of arms, and the Napoleonic bee.