Tiffany And Co Oval Choker
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Band Rings
18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Cufflinks
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Pink Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Rose Gold, Silver
1990s French Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
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Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Jade, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Link Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Link Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Victorian Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
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.