Choker Necklaces
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Emirian Romantic Choker Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, 14k Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century American Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Romantic Choker Necklaces
Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Romantic Choker Necklaces
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.