Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver Plate
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
Base Metal
Early 2000s Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s French Choker Necklaces
Other
2010s French Choker Necklaces
Other
2010s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, White Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Gold
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1920s French Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Moonstone, Topaz, Citrine, Amber, Gold, Gilt Metal, Brass, Silver
Late 20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Peridot, Yellow Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Choker Necklaces
2010s French Artist Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl
2010s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl, Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
20th Century European Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century European Choker Necklaces
1980s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s French Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Gold
2010s Choker Necklaces
Early 2000s Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Artist Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Gold
Early 2000s French Artist Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
Vintage Choker Necklaces
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.