Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: artisan

The small village of Droiturier hosts (at least) two remarkable architectoral structures. These are a roman bridge and the church Saint-Nicolas. The 12th century romanesque church was once a part of a benedictian collegiate, belonging to Cluny. The collegiate community is gone since centuries and with all its buildings. The most interesting capital depicts a man and an ape. Here is the stout master of the ape. He holds the rope, - pincers and a hammer. Another object is placed on the ground to the left. He obviously is a tradesman or artisan. There is no trade, where an ape could be of any use. At least not in Europe. The icon (man/rope/ape) is somehow typical for the Auvergne area, the French call this "singe cordé". I found a couple of these pairs and will upload more. Meanwhile I learned, that within the Auvergne are about 20 (!) similar carvings.

The small village of Droiturier hosts (at least) two remarkable architectoral structures. These are a roman bridge and the church Saint-Nicolas. The 12th century romanesque church was once a part of a benedictian collegiate, belonging to Cluny. The collegiate community is gone since centuries and with all its buildings. The same capital, seen before. Now from the right side. A strange detail is to the evry right. Next to the ape is the head of "dragon" with a very long neck. The dragon has pretty frightening teeth. The icon (man/rope/ape) is somehow typical for the Auvergne area, the French call this "singe cordé". I found a couple of these pairs and will upload more. Meanwhile I learned, that within the Auvergne are about 20 (!) similar carvings.