Choker Necklaces
1990s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Unknown Artist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Danish Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Choker Necklaces
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Gilt Metal
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold, Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Swiss Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1990s Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
Brass, Copper, Steel
1990s Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s French Baroque Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Peridot, Citrine, Topaz
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
1990s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Pearl
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Rhodium
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Greek Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s American Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Quartz, Sterling Silver
1980s American Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
1990s Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver
1990s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Agate, Brass
1980s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s European Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k 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.