Tiffany T1 Choker
20th Century Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
Opal, Pearl
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1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s German Jugendstil Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 10k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
Late 20th Century English Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Silver, Sterling Silver
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
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.