An unusual olivewood and ebonised partners' desk Jerusalem, last quarter 19th century

probably by Vester & Co., in the English style, the rectangular top outlined with cross-banded borders, the frieze with three drawers on either side above a pair of cupboard doors enclosing on one side three drawers in each knee hole and on the other side a shelf, raised on a plinth base, the whole outlined with moulded ebonized borders

This desk is probably by Vester & Co, of Jerusalem. The history of the firm is believed to be that Mr and Mrs Vester moved from Chicago to Jerusalem following the great fire in 1876. There they established a hotel called `The American Colony'. For this hotel they commissioned and made furniture which has both an English and German character. They were so successful with their furniture that not only did they furnish the hotel but many of their guests bought furniture to ship back to their homeland and it is believed that the offered lot is such a piece.