Panel, alabaster, the Appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene, English, 15th century.

The haloed and bearded Christ, dressed according to medieval tradition as a gardener, wears a hat with a deep crown and turned-up, divided brim and a gown which he holds up from the ground in his right hand; he stands barefoot on the left of the panel, holding a spade in his left hand. The bottom of the spade clearly shows the metal edging which was attached to the usual medieval wooden spade. A scroll rises from Christ, no doubt originally inscribed with the words: 'Noli me tangere.' He looks down at the haloed figure of Mary Magdalene who wears a belted gown, a barbette and a fillet decorated with a rose. She kneels in prayer on the right of the panel, her ointment pot in front of her. The figures are enclosed all round by wooden palings to indicate the garden. A stylized tree is shown in the top left of the panel. Top right, a gabled and fenestrated building with the windows cut right through the panel and with battlementing, probably represents Jerusalem. Christ's left hand and the shaft of the spade are missing. The scroll and the window at the top of the panel are damaged. The top left corner of the panel is missing. There are slight traces of gilding on the building at the top right corner of the panel. The back of the panel bears four lead-plugged holes, two with latten wires attached. The bottom has been cut away.

Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA

Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh in London. Possibly from the Passion altarpiece the remains of which are in the church of St. Avit-les-Guespières, Sarthe. On loan from Dr Hildburgh since 1925. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.

The panel represents the gospel account of Mary Magdelene's meeting with the Risen Christ in the garden near the empty tomb. Christ's left hand and the shaft of the spade He is holding are missing.

A.67:1-1946