Banded Agate Choker
1990s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Agate, Brass
Vintage 1980s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Agate, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Modernist Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Sterling Silver
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Early 20th Century Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Amber
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Spinel, Turquoise, Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Amber, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century French Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Quartz, Gold, Silver, Copper
Early 20th Century Dutch Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Amber, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Beaded Necklaces
Amber
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1930s European Beaded Necklaces
Amber, 9k Gold
Late 20th Century Tibetan Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Amber, Turquoise, Agate, Brass, Gold-filled
Vintage 1970s Swazi Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Artist Choker Necklaces
Agate, Gold
Antique 1860s Italian Early Victorian More Rings
Diamond, Agate, Amethyst, 18k Gold
Finding the Right choker-necklaces for You
Vintage choker necklaces are elegant, alluring and stylish. Cameos, pearls, diamonds and other stones can decorate these necklaces, which come in single or multiple strands. Whether it is a statement piece or a delicate chain, these short necklaces always stand out and turn heads.
The history of the choker can be traced back thousands of years, with Sumerian examples discovered from 2600–2500 B.C. They endured as a popular form of adornment through the centuries, and during the French Revolution they took on a symbolic significance. Women wore ribbons around their throats to mark the passing of those killed by the guillotine. Soon, the plain ribbons were adorned with small cameos and other ornamentation.
European choker necklaces gained a salacious reputation in the 19th century when prostitutes were associated with black ribbons tied around the neck, such as the model in Édouard Manet’s Olympia (1863). Queen Alexandra, Princess of Wales, reversed the trend in the late 19th century by wearing a large pearl and diamond choker, reputedly to hide a scar.
Fashioned from gold, pearls and other precious stones and metals, chokers continued to be worn into the 20th century, alternately statements of wealth and rebellion. They experienced periods of revival in the 1920s, ’40s, ’70s and ’90s for both men and women.
Vintage chokers make a statement with an unmistakable air of femininity. On 1stDibs, find an alluring collection of vintage chokers today, including gold, sapphire and emerald chokers.