Choker Necklaces
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Crystal
1940s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Mexican Vintage Choker Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1980s Swiss Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Iolite, Peridot, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Ye...
1970s German Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Modern Choker Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Unknown Retro Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
White Gold
1950s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Copper, Enamel
1910s Edwardian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1940s South American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Swedish Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver
1920s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s German Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond
20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Hematite, Sterling Silver
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
22k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Brass
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1920s French Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Moonstone, Topaz, Citrine, Amber, Gold, Gilt Metal, Brass, Silver
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
1910s Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1970s European Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Portuguese Artisan Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Excellent condition
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
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.