Help me identify this Meerschaum Pipe Image

[clanobucklin]

Hello All,
I recently was given this meer pipe as a gift. It belonged to my friend's father and is unsmoked. I am tempted to light 'er up...but want to know if any one can identify the face/image of the pipe. It is a bearded man with a laurel wreath on his head and what looks like shamrocks or clovers or oak leaves engraved on the side. I have no idea if this pipe is old or not...and if it is valuable. Could one of you folks who know meerschaums take a look at the picture and identify the image? Is it St. Patrick? Rasputin? or Jesus? Please? Thanks - Much appreciated. Clanobucklin

 

[mlaug]

Is it a Bacchus? Anything looks like grape clusters?

 

[misterrogers]

I don't see any grape clusters, thus I feel Bacchus can be ruled out. I feel as if Saint Patrick can be ruled out, merely because he's always depicted with either a Mitre or a hood. I also feel as if Jesus can be ruled out, due to the fact that almost all images give him a Crown of Thorns, a halo or nothing at all, but I've never seen a laurel. I feel Rasputin is not a possibility, due to the laurel. That said, the nose does look Rasputin’s nose. (And thank God it doesn’t look like his man parts.)
My best guess would be 'Jupiter' or 'Zeus', though I'm no expert.

 

[baronsamedi]

I'm with Misterrogers on that. Probably Zeus with the wreath about his head.

 

[bambam]

I would say it is just a different carving of Bacchus/Dionysus. He seems to be a favorite of the people who carve meerschaum.

 

[tslex]

I'd say Zeus since I'd expect Bacchus to be smiling.
He doesn't look unlike this fellow: Zeus meer
In any case, it is a wonderful carving and a nifty pipe -- and a swell gift.

 

[clanobucklin]

Thanks guys. No there are no grape clusters. I have a Bachus pipe and he is smiling with grapes on the side. The box is old with Comoy's of London Block Meerschaum CAO on it. I wonder if this an old pipe? Although the pipe itself is in pristine condition an unsmoked. I haven't decided whether to smoke it or sell it.
Best bet so far ZEUS! Any other meer experts feel free to chime in with info.

 

[cyndi]

Bacchus always looks drunk. Always. It also doesn't look like carvings I've seen of Greek or Roman gods. I'm leaning towards one of the saints.

 

[cyndi]

and yes, you should smoke it. Meer only gets more valuable the more it's smoked.

 

[mlaug]

Nope, you're all wrong.
I finally figured out who clanobucklin's pipe looks like....its Justin Bieber.

 

[unclearthur]

Zeus fer sure!

 

[bubbadreier]

mlaug, I thought we determined that the pipe is of a man not a woman! :crazy:

 

[winton]

It kinda looks like me, except most of my hair fell out in my 20s and I trim my beard shorter, and I prefer hats that protect my noggin, and I rarely look so serious. Also the nose and eyebrows are different. The beard and hair color is fairly close, with scatter dark areas.
Winton

 

[maduroman]

bubba, could be a portagee woman... some of em have that much face hair.
disclaimer: as a man who has been married to a portagee girl for 19 years next month i feel i have the expertise to comment on them n hair....

 

[fred]

Zeus.

 

[clanobucklin]

I can't believe it. I decided to smoke the pipe. And while gently smoking it I heard a

"KaaaChUNNNK" the stem cracked in a inverted V on the bottom the stem. My first impulse was to toss the sucker...but then remembering it was gift (and my friend's Dad's Pipe) I thought I will just baby till it falls apart. Anyone have any suggestions on fixing it? Or can it be fixed? :|

 

[clanobucklin]

Bummer...my Zeus Meerschaum gave a final groan and the stem fell off the bowl. I have never had this happen to me before with a meer...anybody have this experience?

 

[ace57]

Do not dump it, Put it on Your pipe rack to look over Your pipes!

 

[clanobucklin]

Too late - taps was played as it was conveyed to local dump.

 

[cajunplume]

I googled Zeus's face and it seems undeniably his face in close comparison