Francoise Montague Handmade Faceted Glass Statement
2010s French Choker Necklaces
People Also Browsed
1990s American Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Beaded Necklaces
Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1920s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Beaded Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Crystal, Rhodium
2010s American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Amethyst, Sapphire, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s French Link Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Byzantine Drop Necklaces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal, Gold Plate
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Late 20th Century More Necklaces
Crystal, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Modernist More Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
1990s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, White 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.