Can anyone identifying this origin of this odd old chess board?

I picked this up today just because it was odd (and a little sinister looking). I'm trying to figure out where it was made and during what time period. It heavy solid wood (Rosewood?) inlaid with designs and brass squares. The name "Jeffery" has been inlaid into the board and the name Jeffery written in other side in Arabic (I looked it up). So it must be from the Middle east. There's only one stray mark on it on one corner, inlaid in brass. I may be just kidding, but I looked up a map of the middle east and it looks a little like Turkey, but this seems too plain for a Turkish board, others I've seen have lots of little designs. But I'm guess. Any help identifying this would be great. Thanks!

Nice! it's written "Jeffrey" in Arabic.  Cannot be Turkish. Turkish was still written in Arabic  letters until beg of 20th century (please someone correct me if wrong), after that it is  in Latin letters. Google chess board craft Syria. Syria has produced a lot of beautiful art crafts  made of wood for many centuries. This is just an idea. Jeffrey may have been an artisan belonging to the Syrian community, or another idea: A foreigner called "Jeffrey" had a chess board made with his name engraved while he was working in the Middle East. Other ideas?  

there is also this site that can be helpful http://www.collectorsweekly.com/games/chess/stories

Thanks! Very helpful!

Let us know what you've found! In any case, your chess board has a story to tell....