The vast majority of the Milwaukee Public Museum's Iranian collection was acquired between the mid-1960s to the 1980s, through both donations and purchases. These items came from both donations by private collectors and local cultural organizations such as the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning. Meanwhile, several pieces were purchased from galleries or other museum intuitions, with funds made possible through the Weisel Foundation, the Donald Bronk Estate, and the Near East Fund. In addition to purchases, several connoisseurs of Iranian art and technology donated a considerable amount of objects to the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Stephen J. Junkunc III
As well-known collector from the Chicago area, Mr. Junkunc donated 36 artifacts of Iranian origin during the 1970s. These artifacts range from second millennium B.C. inscribed cylinder seals to 19th century Lacquer papier mache penholders.
Carl Moebius
Mr. Moebius donated 67 artifacts of Iranian origin to the Milwaukee Public Museum during the late 1960s. The vast majority of these objects consist of fine quality Islamic Period glazed ceramics from the 10th-14th c. A.D. Mr. Moebius was a Milwaukee native whose family owned a printing company. He was also the Vice President and Director of Discovery World in the early 1990s.
Cedric Marks
Cedric Marks, a collector from New York, donated 51 Iranian artifacts to the Museum from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. These artifacts are primarily from the Amlash region of northwestern Iran, as well as several bronze pieces from the Luristan region.