This charming vessel is an example of the extraordinary pottery produced by the people of the Casas grandes region of Mexico, named after a site close to the New Mexico border. Here, an oval-shaped bowl is magically and whimsically transformed into the body of a man lying prone on his back. The hint of bent arms blends masterfully with geometric surface patterns that give subtle evidence of clothing. A sublime face with eyes closed faces heaven while foreshortened legs and feet extended out from this stout body...what qualities it contained. The magic that captures us today is the unique artistic talent and visual perspective that these ancient people possessed, represented by this most charming fellow.