Emerald and diamond necklace, Cartier, Paris, 1905

The floral garlands joined to a central motif of two ribbon bows  supporting a swing pendant set with a pear-shaped emerald weighing approximately 8.00 carats, continuing at each side to a floral chain, the whole millegrain set with 18 old-mine diamonds weighing approximately 13.00 carats and approximately 334 old-mine, old European-cut and rose-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum, length 16½ inches, unsigned, side garlands detachable, necklace has been slightly lengthened at a later date.  With original red leather Cartier case stamped with monogram M.M. on the lid.  

Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Cartier in Geneva, numbered GE2006-104, dated October 2, 2006. 

Levi Parsons Morton was Vice President of the United States under Benjamin Harrison and Governor of New York From 1895 to 1897. From humble beginnings as a clerk in New Hampshire, he rose to become a successful financier, a New York City Congressman and the US Minister to France. After selling his summer place in Newport, Morton purchased   Ellerslie, a gentleman's farm in Rhinecliff-on-Hudson, New York and chose the fashionable architect Richard Morris Hunt to design the mansion that would become his primary residence. Mary Morton, the youngest of the Morton's five daughters, received the present emerald and diamond necklace from her mother. Mary, who never wed, was responsible for Holiday Farm, the family's first philanthropic effort in Rhinecliff, established in 1902. The purpose of the retreat was to give New York City tenement children who had been previously hospitalized a chance to recuperate from illness in the country air. By 1912, the home relocated to more spacious quarters and, with help from the Vincent Astors, was renamed the Astor Home for Children.