Choker Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century European Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Choker Necklaces
Malachite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s European Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s European Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.