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Nativity and St Mary Magdalene

Designer: Mrs Theodore Bouwens

Maker: James Powell & Sons

South Chancel of St Mary Magdalene, Littleton, Surrey

1904

The infant Jesus already stands on the globe in glory here. Doves nestle by the Angel Gabriel as he kneels to support it. Mary Magdalene comes bearing incense, as if holding a birthday cake with a candle, and two shy little angels accompany her. The text above the left-hand light is from the Magnificat, "My Soul doth Magnify the Lord"; above the right-hand light are Jesus's words about Mary Magdalene, "She Loved Much." [Commentary continues below.]

  • St Mary Magdalene, Littleton, Surrey

    • Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee.

    You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL, or credit the Victorian Web in a print document. [Click on the image for a larger picture, and mouse over the text for links.]

    Below the figures are two more diminutive angels bearing the text, "The morning stars sang togther, and all the sons of God shouted for joy," from Job 38, 7. The order for "2l, chancel S" now appears in the Powell Order Book as "138/13" (a different page from the one recorded by Eberhard) under the names "Aikman and Beawens (?)." Perhaps William Aikman oversaw Mrs Bouwens' work, but this unusual composition seems very much her own unique vision. Mrs Bouwens was the wife of Theodore Bouwens of the Manor House, Littleton, who married Amy Marie, daughter of a Rear-Admiral, in 1880 (Fox-Davies 167).

    Besides some of its stained glass, there is little of Victorian interest in this pretty church, which has thirteenth, sixteeenth and seventeenth century elements. But, of course, some restoration work was done in the nineteenth century.

    Bibliography

    Eberhard, Robert. "Stained Glass Windows at St Mary Magdalene, Littleton, Surrey." Church Stained Glass Windows. Web. 3 August 2019.

    Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. Armorial Families: A Directory of Gentlemen of Coat-armour... Edinburgh: T.C and E.C. Jack, 1910 (very limited view, on Google Books)

    James Powell (the order book can be accessed from here). Web. 3 August 2019.


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    Created 3 August 2019