I came across a Reddit post asking about that strange-looking statue in Palpatine’s apartment in The Phantom Menace. It’s the one displayed in a wall niche – round head, strange limbs, a bit unsettling. It caught my eye too, and like many fans, I’d always wondered if there was more to it. As it turns out, there is – and it’s not just random set dressing.
It’s from Triffis – and It’s Not Random
The statue has an official origin in Star Wars Legends. It comes from the planet Triffis, and it was originally part of a museum collection there. Later, it was given to Palpatine as a gift from Senator Eelen Li of Triffis. This moment is mentioned clearly in the Darth Plagueis novel, in a short exchange between Palpatine and Chancellor Valorum:
“Valorum gestured to a figurine in a wall niche. ‘Exquisite.’
‘Quite. A gift from Senator Eelen Li.’
‘From Triffis.’
Palpatine reoriented the figurine slightly. ‘A museum piece, actually.’”
That tells us a lot. The object wasn’t a Sith relic or some ancient dark side artifact. It was a diplomatic gift – an actual cultural item from another planet, one that Palpatine chose to display openly in his apartment. Before it ended up there, it had been part of a public collection, which adds some historical significance.
Bonus: Palpatine’s Office Was Full of Sith Artifacts – And One Jedi Noticed
While the Triffian statue in his apartment wasn’t tied to the Sith, Palpatine’s office told a different story. Throughout the prequels, it was filled with dark, ancient relics – Sith urns, ritual objects, and symbolic sculptures – all hiding in plain sight. Most Jedi who visited never seemed to question any of it.
But according to the Legends novel Labyrinth of Evil, Mace Windu did notice. He sensed something unsettling about the collection and even asked Palpatine about it. Of course, Palpatine had his usual cover stories – auctions, gifts, historical interest – but the feeling lingered.
The full breakdown of those artifacts, their meanings, and how close the Jedi came to discovering the truth is covered in this piece.