By tradition this piece, part of a set, is believed to have belonged to Caroline Murat (1782-1839), Queen of Naples. Their accompanying leather box is stamped with a crowned 'C' in gold.

Documentary evidence in the archives of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence and in the archives in Naples suggest that this parure, or set of jewelry, may have been produced in either centre. Hardstone mosaic techniques (commessi di pietre dure) emerged in Florence, where Ferdinand de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, founded the Grand Ducal workshop (Opificio delle Pietre Dure) in 1588. It still operates today under the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage.

The production of stone mosaics with the Florentine technique began in Naples in the seventeenth century primarily in response to commissions for ecclesiastical objects to adorn church interiors and devotional objects. In 1737 an official court workshop, Real Laboratorio delle Pietre Dure, was established in Naples by Charles VII (King of Naples and later Charles III of Spain).The technique, however, is of extremely fine quality and in the vein of the production from the Florentine Grand Ducal workshops.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.