Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Crystal
Late 20th Century Mexican Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Choker Necklaces
1920s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
1990s Italian Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Stainless Steel, Other
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Retro Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1980s English Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Mid-20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Gold
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Swedish Vintage Choker Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Silver
1950s Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1990s French Choker Necklaces
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s European Romantic Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century Choker Necklaces
24k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1950s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
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.