Find the exact statement choker you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
Gold,
18k Gold and
Silver, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 101 antique edition and 94 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect statement choker may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a statement choker has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by
Chanel,
Monies and
Marion Stern are consistently popular. While most can agree that any statement choker from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a
Diamond version from the 19 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. See these pages for a
mixed cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also
round cut cut and
cabochon cut versions available here, too. There aren’t many items for
men if you’re seeking a statement choker, as most of the options available are for
women and unisex.
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.
