Attributed to Gennaro Sarao Italian, Naples, circa 1740

the tortoiseshell piqué with gold and inlaid with gold foliage and scrolls, the lid with Ganymede astride an eagle above a pastoral scene with figures in mother of pearl below

Gennaro Sarao was active in Naples between 1730 and 1772 making a number of pieces for the royal household of King Charles of Naples and Sicily. His name appears on a number of similarly inlaid works such as the writing desk in the Palasciano Collection Bari, another writing desk in the Wallace Collection (inv.no.XXII A.35) and the box sold by Sotheby's New York, Kennedy Onassis collection, 23-26 April 1996, lot 307. A larger unsigned box of similar shape  and dating from the same period was sold by Christie's Milan, 20 November 2002 as lot 546.