Who is this intriguing little masked figure? His poignant face has been rendered in the "Chinesco" style, so named because of the clear Oriental touch. Yet it is the base of this piece that is most unusual and rare. There is little indication of a body other than the two tiny pointed elbows at his side. Could this figure, with its bloated stomach represent someone who had ascites, or "abdominal dropsy?" How would have Picasso interpreted the abstractness of this tomb offering from centuries ago? The artist of this unusual piece clearly took time to carefully design and detail the base with geometric lines. It is the sensitive rendering of this piece that gives it such wonderful charm.