Choker Necklaces
1970s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Agate, Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amber, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Baroque Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
1960s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s American Native American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Coral, 18k Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Mexican Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s German Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
1970s American Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Bronze
1960s Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1970s Danish Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s American Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Regency Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Bronze, Gilt Metal
1960s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Austrian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Base Metal
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Burmese Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Jade
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Chrysophrase, 14k Gold
1960s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal
1960s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Turkish Anglo-Indian Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1960s Finnish Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Brass, Gilt Metal
1960s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Copper
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s American Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1960s Mexican Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1960s Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White 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.