Choker Necklaces
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1990s Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Brass
20th Century North American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver, Silver
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1970s Swedish Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver
2010s Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Choker Necklaces
Crystal
1990s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1980s Italian Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Artist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
2010s Danish Modern Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1860s British Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary North American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
2010s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Choker Necklaces
1940s French Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Kunzite, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Choker Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Choker Necklaces
Labradorite, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
1950s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 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.