Audemars Piguet San Diego
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Choker Necklaces
Kunzite, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary More Jewelry
Diamond
2010s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Rubelite, Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Swiss Regency Wrist Watches
Jade, Brass
2010s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French More Bracelets
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Asian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, 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.