Description: South pier of narthex and tribune, east capital. The central figure is a winged demon seated on a throne, surrounded by two human-like, winged acolytes. The central demon is holding an opened book which bears the carved inscription
Reference: At Brioude, like at Clermont-Ferrant, the words mile (mille) artifex designates a demon. The translation of artifex as "master" or artisan, relates to the demon as a type of anti-Majesty, or anti-Christ.
Seated on a throne of flames, surrounded by eagles, the pose is similar to the composition of Christ in Majesty. The parody of the demon in a Christ in Majesty pose is emphasized by the inscribed term artifex, which was employed by Tertulian and Minucius to define God as the "Creator" or "Author." In a tenth-century Life of St. Martial (BnF, ms. lat. 3851A, fols. 30-33) the devil, prodded by St. Martial to give his name, referred to himself as mille artifex. The devil explained that he had a thousand arts to bring down man [Mille habeo artes ad decficiendum genus humanum.]
Face:
MILE AR TIFEX / SCRIPSI TU [P]ERIS[TI] USURA
The master of a thousand [tricks] wrote: you perished through usury.