NT2473 : Inscription ‘And Harmless As Doves’, Well Court, Dean Village
taken 11 years ago, near to Edinburgh, Scotland
Inscription ‘And Harmless As Doves’, Well Court, Dean Village
A plaque on the side of the model apartment buildings completed in 1886 after being commissioned by Sir John Finlay, proprietor of ‘The Scotsman’ newspaper. A major restoration of Well Court was begun in 2007, with further background on the history available at Link (Archive Link )
The plaque shows the initials JRF with the words ‘And Harmless As Doves’ underneath, which is part of a biblical quotation 'Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves' - Matthew 10:16 King James Bible
The inscription on the lintel is: "God bless the baxters of Edinbrugh [sic]who built this house 1675". The Ancient Incorporation of Baxters (bakers) had a long association with Dean Village, where there were several mills which provided the baxters with flour.