Miniature Size, Magical Quality: Nasca Art from the Glassell Collection

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.