Choker Necklaces
1930s American Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Cultured Pearl
1950s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Copper, Enamel
20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
1990s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Italian Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Stainless Steel, Other
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Mexican Vintage Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Mid-20th Century American Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century Choker Necklaces
24k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1960s Mexican Vintage Choker Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Choker Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Modern Choker Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Brass
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1950s European Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Asian Anglo-Indian Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Portuguese Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century North American Retro Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s European Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century English Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1980s German Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s European Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century European Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Rhodium
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.