Emilio Elegant Kite
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Tourmaline
1990s American Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Modern Bangles
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Rope Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond
Antique Early 1800s Victorian Choker Necklaces
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pink Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary French Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire
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.