Context (Field collection)
Provenance given by donor, Peter French: 'Said to be a small wayside shrine in Nagaland damaged by shellfire during the Second World War, in the course of a battle between Japanese and Allied troops. Given to me (Peter French) in the 1960s by the coldstore foreman at the Lyons Maid Ice Cream and Frozen Food depot in Maidenhead, Berks., who had been a soldier in Nagaland and had picked it up beside the shrine and brought it to England. His Christian name was Keith but I have forgotten his surname; he is unlikely to be still alive, and in any case probably never would have been able to locate the shrine more accurately.'
Event Date 1960
Author: Lily Stancliffe

Description (Physical description)
Description given by donor, Peter French: 'Stela of soft pale brown stone, probably steatite. On one face is depicted a quadruped facing right, apparently walking or running with young beneath in space under belly. Incised markings on both bodies indicating possibly a harness or tatooing. Behing quadrupeds is a stylised tree or structure all in raised relief. Incised multiple double-line V markings above scene in two registers following the rounded shape of the top of the stela. On the second face the subject is now largely obliterated (possibly intentionally), apparently an upreared or perched bird with hooked beak, again facing right.'
Event Date 8/2001
Author: Lily Stancliffe