Box with portrait of a woman said to be Mrs. Bates (1755–1811) as Flora 1811 - 1812

This gold box, crafted by Alexander James Strachan between 1811 and 1812, features a miniature portrait of a woman believed to be Mrs. Bates, depicted as the Roman goddess Flora. The box is adorned with intricate floral designs and a blue enamel border, set with tiny diamonds around the portrait. This exquisite piece of jewelry, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the artistry of miniature painting and the decorative techniques of the early 19th century.