Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Jade, 10k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Swedish Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Danish Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Rock Crystal, Silver
1980s Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Baroque Revival Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s Swiss Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Silver
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Pink Sapphire, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Iolite, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1980s North American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1960s Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
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.