Browse a vast assortment of antique pearl chokers for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
Gold,
18k Gold and
Platinum, these items were constructed with great care. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 18th Century while others were produced as recently as the 20th Century.
Victorian and
Edwardian are consistently popular styles when it comes to antique pearl chokers. Many examples in our inventory of these items are appealing no matter their origins, but
Black, Starr & Frost,
Castellani and
Theodore B. Starr produced popular versions that are worth a look. Browse our collection of 66
Pearl versions today to add the perfect touch to your look. There are many
round cut,
old european cut and
brilliant cut antique pearl chokers for sale. There aren’t many items for
men in our collection of antique pearl chokers, as most of the options available are for
women.
Prices for antique pearl chokers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $612 and can go as high as $130,000, while antique pearl chokers, on average, fetch $8,299.
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.