Modelled on the Esigies throne stool from the 16th century, Eresoyen's throne represents Benin's view of the world. An intertwined python connects the world of the divine order of civilisation (the seat) with that of nature (the base). The sun, moon and cross on the seat symbolise the creation of the cosmic order. Ceremonial swords symbolise the power of the king in this order. The blacksmith's tools depicted in the centre, anvil, bellows, tongs and hammer, symbolise civilisation. The world of nature at the base shows motifs of the forest, such as the monkeys used as sacrificial animals and the "trunk hand", an elephant's trunk that ends in a hand holding leaves. It symbolises the occult power of Osun that exists in the plants. The sculptural frogs and the carved Portuguese heads refer to the water, the world of the sea god Olokun.