Annamaria Cammilli On Sale
Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
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Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century American Modern Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century French Modern Modern Bracelets
Diamond, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Greek Rope Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Brooches
Emerald, Quartz, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
20th Century French Art Deco Figurines and Sculptures
Rock Crystal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Desk Accessories
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French More Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Beaded Necklaces
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Belle Époque Bangles
18k Gold, Enamel
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.