The Kieffer­–Lopez Collection of Ethnographic Materials
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The Kieffer­–Lopez Collection of Ethnographic Materials

  • Duration:Temporary
  • Location:Whitten Featured Object Case

(date) 1/18/2011–5/1/2011

The Kieffer­–Lopez Collection, developed by the wife and husband team of Dr. Margaret Kieffer and Gerard Lopez, currently consists of over 700 ethnographic objects from the continents of Africa, South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. The couple’s combined interest in learning more about the cultures of the different countries in which they lived resulted in a comprehensive collection that is a small museum in itself.

Dr. Margaret (Maggi/Peg) Kieffer (1940–2006) developed an academic and personal interest in indigenous textiles and textile manufacturing while conducting graduate research in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, in the 1970s. As Dr. Kieffer traveled to other countries, this interest expanded to the indigenous cultures of countries such as India and Thailand.

Gerard (Jerry) Lopez’s professional career took him to many parts of the world, with an extended time spent in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. Mr. Lopez developed a strong interest in and diverse collection of masks, figurines, and other ethnographic objects from a variety of cultures found in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and surrounding West African countries.