Choker Necklaces
1970s Danish Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Swedish Choker Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
1980s European Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Greek Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
1990s French Choker Necklaces
1940s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century American Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Steel
1980s German Edwardian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s North American Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1980s French Artist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1990s Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
1960s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Rhodium
1940s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Chrysophrase, 18k Gold, Enamel
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century European Choker Necklaces
1990s French Choker Necklaces
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s European Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, 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.