Mary Magdalene in the Garden - Tiffield, Northamptonshire

Attribution
1893
Mary Magdalene in the Garden - Tiffield, Northamptonshire

This two-light stained-glass window, dated 1893 and signed by Jones & Willis, is located in the church at Tiffield. It depicts the meeting of Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ in the garden — the Noli me tangere episode described in the Gospel of St John .

In the left-hand light, Mary Magdalene is shown turning toward Christ, her gesture expressive of recognition and devotion. In the right-hand light, Christ stands in the garden setting, traditionally holding a staff, signifying both resurrection and the mistaken identity of the gardener. Between the figures appears the inscription: “Rabboni, which is to say Master” (John 20:16), the words spoken by Mary when she recognises the risen Lord.

In the tracery light above is an Agnus Dei set within a trefoil , accompanied by the inscription “Agnus Dei”. The Lamb of God reinforces the Paschal theme of sacrifice and redemption fulfilled in the Resurrection.

The window combines narrative clarity with decorative Gothic framing typical of Jones & Willis in the later nineteenth century. The balanced arrangement of the two principal figures, together with the textual inscription, creates a focused meditation on recognition, faith, and resurrection hope.