Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Choker Necklaces
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Artisan Antique Choker Necklaces
Garnet, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Emerald
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
20th Century Retro Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Chinese Choker Necklaces
Silver
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Polynesian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
Base Metal
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century French Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Crystal, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1960s French Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
Silver
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Copper, Enamel, Gilt Metal
1930s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Turquoise
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Choker Necklaces
White Gold
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
2010s Thai Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1880s Etruscan Revival Antique Choker Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
1940s British Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Gold, 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.