Ceremonial seat (osa´osa) at The Cinquantenaire Museum in Brussels, Belgium

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Human: Ceremonial throne, Lahusa, situated near the susuwa river in Gomo district on Nias Island, Indonesia, circa 18th century, crafted from stone. Musée du cinquantenaire, Brussels, Belgium. Designed with Memento Beta. This majestic circular throne, adorned with four corners, was reserved for leaders and nobles in the village. The throne proudly showcases the head of a lasara, a mythic creature revered for protecting its people. On the neck of this fearsome guardian is a kalabubu, a necklace symbolizing bravery and exceptional hunting skills. The islanders of Nias, situated off the southwestern coast of Sumatra, are renowned for their impressive stone carvings, often created to honor members of the nobility, both living and deceased. Unique to the central region of Nias is the ritual stone throne (osa' osa), used by high-ranking nobles during feasts and other ceremonial events, where it is placed near the home of the host as a testament to their esteemed rank. This particular example is classified as a "hornbill" type, named after a large bird highly revered in Indonesian and Melanesian cultures. Here, the hornbill is depicted as a composite creature, combining the fearsome features of a carnivore with the antlers of a deer and the distinctive beak, crest, and tail of the hornbill. The result is an awe-inspiring protector of the nobility and their ancestors. Many other thrones of this variety exist, including two examples that have been uploaded to Scan the World. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and wish to contribute, please email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate. Scanned using photogrammetry (processed with Agisoft PhotoScan).