Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century European Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s French Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s French Byzantine Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s French Modernist Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1910s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
1930s American Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Cultured Pearl
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s Belgian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1950s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century Danish Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century North American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Choker Necklaces
Silver
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Carnelian, Turquoise, Gold Plate
1960s American Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
1970s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1960s Finnish Vintage Choker Necklaces
Moonstone, Silver
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Rhodium
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Mexican Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Spanish Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold Plate
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century North American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1990s British Modern Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century English Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 9k 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.