An extraordinary group of Nasca miniature objects—exquisite works produced in ancient Central and South America for personal adornment, ritual use, and burial—resides in the renowned Glassell Collection of Pre-Columbian Art. Dating from about A.D. 600, the Nasca miniatures were reported to have been found together in the Ica Valley of the south coast of present-day Peru. Beautifully crafted from gold, silver, shell, and semiprecious stones, most of these objects were carved from or have elements of spondylus shell, a rare mollusk. Frances Marzio brings the Nasca culture vividly to life through her insightful discussion of diverse artworks from the collection—from warriors and trophy heads to females and a menagerie of animals—focusing on these fascinating treasures as a group for the first time. Frances Marzio is curator of The Glassell Collections, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.