Choker Necklaces
1970s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s French Choker Necklaces
20th Century Swiss Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1990s European Choker Necklaces
20th Century Choker Necklaces
1970s Swedish Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1920s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Steel, Stainless Steel
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century European Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
1990s Spanish Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1950s Belgian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14...
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass
1990s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1990s Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
1980s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass, Other
20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century North American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Greek Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
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.