Kemble Pipes: Skul

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A Dead Head

The Dead Head tobacco pipe is a fun little pipe one of my brother in laws suggested to me. The image is obviously taken from the Grateful Dead's skull design. It was a great chance to improve my skills with the more precise carving tools.

St. John Kemble was a Jesuit priest in England for 54 years until he was arrested during the reign of Charles II. He was accused of plotting to remove the Charles from the throne inorder to promote a Catholic King. When they found no evidence of the plot he was condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered for being a priest and celebrating the Mass.

At the hour of his execution he convinced under-sheriff and the governor to let him finish his prayers, his drink and his pipe. Indeed, the governor and under-sheriff joined him with the drink and the pipe. He then went to the gallows with all the gravity of a gentleman.

St. John Kemble, pray for us.