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Welcome to the Black Dog of Wells collection of new gift ideas for your family and friends. All new designs will remain on this page for about a year after their origination, but they are also found in the various categories on the left side of your screen. Collectors of our wall plaques ~ be sure to visit this page from time to time to see what new designs we have added.
All prices shown include packing and 2nd class postage. Should you require first class postage you can add this during checkout.
Overseas customers will be charged an extra £2.50 per tile during checkout for deliveries outside the United Kingdom.
Don't forget, if you buy 6 tiles you get 1 free. (Please see Ordering/Delivery page for further details).
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| Live & Learn!O! THIS LEARNING, WHAT A THING IT IS! Oxford is the oldest educational establishment in Europe, with records showing that students were there as far back as the 11th century. Here we have a design based on a woodcut from a manual on life in 16th century Oxford. We can see the tutor (with birch to hand) sitting at his desk with the students holding books beneath. The design incorporates a quote from a Shakespeare play, 'The Taming of The Shrew' Act I, Scene II where Gremio says “O! This learning, what a thing it is!”
This makes a perfect gift for undergraduates and graduates but for those in any form of study, teachers and lecturers past and present everywhere. Dimensions: 8.9cm x 11cm New Design launched December 2009.
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| Nautical BlessingGO WITH A FAIR WIND AND A FOLLOWING TIDE This mariner’s benediction was given to the captain and crew of a ship when leaving dock to wish them good fortune and a safe journey.
The design is based on a 19th century clipper in full sail from a stone carving found in the museum associated with the ruined Carmelite church in Lisbon. The church is kept unrestored as a memorial to the devastating earthquake of 1755.
An ideal gift to give to a sailor or fisherman. This nautical blessing could also be given at a farewell ceremony or as retirement present. (The contemporary frame option is not shown as the tile is marginally too wide for the frame) Dimensions: 11.2cm x 8.8cm New Design launched July 2010
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| Personalised House NumberAre you looking for a house number with a distinctive look?
This original terracotta cartouche is designed with 4 cm high characters which can easily be seen from 4 metres away. The tile and number(s) are pressed separately and then bonded together before being fired to create a harmonious looking tile. There is space on the tile for up to 3 characters. We can also add an A, B and C to the number if required.
Unlike all the other products in our range, we don’t supply this mounted on cream or blue card and there is no descriptive card. The tile is frost proof.
We can make you a special tile just like the examples shown here.
Just add your number - up to 3 digits in the blank box below. Dimensions: 14.3cm x 9.5cm New Design Launched April 2010
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| The Consummate CricketerPLAY UP! PLAY UP! AND PLAY THE GAME! The design is based on images of the very recognisable figure of W.G. Grace (1848-1915). He is regarded as the best player of all time and has helped to shape the modern game with his technical skills of batting, bowling and fielding.
‘Play Up! Play Up! & Play the Game!’ is the refrain of Henry Newbolt’s famous poem written in 1897. Inspired by cricket matches in the Close at Clifton College, the poet evoked the spirit of bravery and stoicism needed by a whole generation of young men going off to war.
The perfect gift for the cricketing enthusiast. Dimensions: 7.7cm x 10.5cm New for August 2010 - framed images to follow
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| The Gallant GolferPLAY THE GAME & FEAR NOT It is thought that the game of golf was introduced to Britain during the middle ages. The game became very popular during the 18th century and this design is based on a contemporary image from that period of a golfer and his caddy.
The phrase ‘Play the game and fear not’ comes from a book entitled Enquire Within Upon Everything published in 1923. This was the 113th edition of the famous compendium of knowledge and advice.
If you know a golfing enthusiast then this could be an ideal gift for them. This wall plaque is something very different from much of the other golf based gifts on the market. Dimensions: 8.5cm x 10.8cm New for August 2010 - framed images to follow
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| Personalised Fine Cat(cats name) A VERY FINE CAT INDEED Samuel Johnson (1709-84), compiler of the first English Dictionary, was not only a writer and critic, but also a renowned and witty conversationalist. Dr Johnson – as he is always known – was devoted to his cat Hodge who lived with him at 17 Gough Square, London.
Referring to Hodge, Dr Johnson is reputed to have said ”...but he is a very fine cat indeed...” We have adapted this phrase so that fine cats everywhere can be acknowledged.
We have created a special variation of the Fine Cat tile that allows for a short name to be added. This makes an excellent gift for any cat lover, but it can also be used to remember a cat that has passed away.
Just add your cats name - up to 7 letters in the blank box below. Dimensions: 10.2cm x 10.5cm New Design Launched March 2010
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| Parva DomusPARVA DOMUS MAGNA QUIES Translated as "Small House, Great Peace". The phrase is engraved into the tile and surrounded with a garland of juniper berries and leaves.
Whether this phrase was first seen on a building from classical times, we don’t know. We first saw it carved into stone outside the Organist’s House near Exeter Cathedral. The tile makes a lovely present for someone “down sizing” into a smaller home – or perhaps moving into retirement apartments or sheltered housing. We once had a hopeful grandparent who bought this tile to give to her grandson for his new student lodgings! We never heard the results. Dimensions: 10.2cm x 8.8cm New for May 2010 - Revised Version
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| A dancing/romantic design - no specific titleIn the pipeline - a couple dancing based on a carving in Glastonbury. Expected completion between October and December 2010.
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