The First Israeli Winery “Carmel Mizrahi” Extremely Rare Tin Sign By Raban and Gur-Arie, 1920

Almost 140 years have passed since the first harvest of Carmel Wineries, the oldest winery in Israel, which once employed three future prime ministers in their youth. This one-of-a-kind sign, designed by Zeev Raban and Meir Gur-Arie in their renowned Bezalel studio is one of the highlights of our collection for its incredible design, extreme rarity, and historic value.

The winery was established in Rishon LeZion by its first settlers in 1889, with the financial assistance of Baron de Rothschild. It provided employment and purpose for many from the first and second aliyah, including David Ben-Gurion. The story of Carmel Wineries intertwines with the history of settlement in the Land of Israel, reflecting the dreams and efforts of the first aliyah settlers who, driven by an unwavering love for the Land of Israel created a thriving Zionist enterprise.

Ze’ev Raban (1890-1970) and Meir Gur-Arie (1891-1951)

In the 1920s and 1930s, Raban and Gur-Arie were the central figures in Israel’s art and graphic design. Besides their personal works, they created famous symbols for many Zionist organizations (such as KKL and the Levant Fair) and for commercial “Tozeret Haaretz” companies in various sectors and industries. Today, they are considered masters and pioneers of Israeli art and education. Their works are essential to the permanent collections in many museums in Israel, such as the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Tel Aviv Museum, and many private collections worldwide.

Ze’ev Raban  and Meir Gur-Arie Works