I'd like to examine the statue in Corpius's boss arena. The asset's name is cut_54_scorpiusstatue. There's also another version called "scostatuefull_cut54". Assets related to Corpius are denoted with the term "scorpius". Whether this is a typo or an internal name isn't clear to me, but I'm not terribly bothered by it.
Judging by the upturned palm and the way the camera focuses on it during the cutscene, this statue may or may not have held the cube containing the Spider Magnet ugrade. There are two other large statues with unique designs that hold an upgrade cube in an outstretched hand, so it doesn't seem terribly implausible. Granted, the other two statues are holding their cubes a little closer to the ground, and this one's pretty high up.
Update: concept art further implies that it most likely held the cube.
That begs the question of how the cube got into Corpius's tail, but Chozo technology has a tendency to make use of both artificial and organic components. I'm capable of suspending my disbelief for giant monsters holding power suit upgrades in their flesh. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Corpius getting ahold of the cube was purposeful. The Mawkin are a tribe of warriors: the idea of having a fledgling hunter slay a beast to win an upgrade for their power suit as a rite of passage makes sense to me.
Anyways, that's enough about the cube.
The statue's forearm has three bands running across the underside. This may be depicting a type of gauntlet that is fastened to the arm with metal or leather bands: the rounded bits in the center of each band look almost like fasteners or buckles of some kind.
The scuted plates protecting the outer arm up to the hand seem to reinforce this idea.
There are cables connected to the back of the neck. You'll also notice there are circular bits on the slate above the statue's head. Four of the ceiling-bound cables (2 on each side of the statue, all localized behind the shoulders and on the back of the neck) descend from these pads. As for the purpose of the cables, I have two ideas. We have concept art of Chozo guardian statues connected to cables seemingly to divert power to them. Given that the statue is sinking, we could also assume the cables were included in its construction to keep it standing if the ground became unstable.
The shoulders aren't identical: as you'll notice in the images above, the one covered by the statue's carved cloak lacks the semi-circular armored covering we see on the exposed left shoulder. This pauldron has ruddy cable-shaped flourishes hanging from it. They remind me of those decorative cords or tassels you might find on an old English military official or a decorated noble. I have no idea what those are called, so if somebody who knows what I'm talking about and is more familiar with historical "high-status" or military fashion could weigh in, I'd be indebted to you.
The left shoulder also has a round spherical "joint" between the shoulder and the bicep.
The cloak is, in fact carved. The cables coming up the back of the statue don't actually connect with it, but in-game, the camera angle gives you the illusion that they are.
Onto the greaves. The armoring on the legs consists of metal plates, with a gap leaving the thighs free for mobility.
The rounded joints on the ankles and knees and the plating over the calves/feet are consistent with the design of a Chozo power suit, right down to the metal caps covering the talons and the protective plating that extends down the "thumb" of the foot.
While I'm comparing the statue to real Chozo armor, I'd like to point out that the overlapping plates covering the back of the neck are also a hallmark of the power suit, and it might not be so odd to see the shoulder "double capped" as we see on the statue's right arm. Compare the first image in the set below to the statue's thighs, and the second one to the shot of the shoulders/neck.
I used images of Raven Beak's power suit for comparison, but I don't necessarily think this is a statue of Raven Beak. It's not impossible, but it could also represent some other important figure in the Mawkin's history, or it was carved to resemble a non-descript warrior with a variety of traits that are packed full of tribe-specific symbolism. Heck, it could represent the Phantom Cloak's inventor.
In any case, it's a neat installation.
