Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise - Saint-André

The original construction of the parish church Saint-André in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (formerly known as "Besse-en-Chandesse") dates back to the 12th, but the church underwent lots renovations over the centuries. So by now it is an interesting mixture of romanesque and gothic elements.

The parish church Saint-André is known for the romanesque carvings. The carvings here differ very much in workmanship and artistic creativity.

Here is the ape/rope/man-icon again, that can be found so often in he Auvergne, that in French language it is called "singe cordé". While the apes in other churches (Saint-Nectaire, Droiturier, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand..) where carved mostly more elegant so that the animal could display at least strength, the carving here is very rough - and the ape is nothing but a tortured creature. I´m sure one day PETA will use this!

In all other churches, quoted above, there are man, the ape and the rope. Here is a man, leading the ape with a rope - and another person to the left.
Unfortunately the face of the second person is damaged, but we can still see the hairdo. The person is barfoot and does not have the impressing height of the man on the right.
I have the impression, that this person is a woman, maybe even the wife of the bearded guy. As soon, as he shows the ape to the audience it is "cap in hand time" for her, as then she will walk around, collecting tips. She already has the "cap" in both hands and soon hopefully the cap will be filled with coins.
If this is right, this carving is a snapshot, depicting a small, family run travelling circus. First time seen here is the person behind the scene", the collector of the tips is a barefoot woman.