Choker Necklaces
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Artisan Antique Choker Necklaces
Carnelian, 18k Gold
1940s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1780s English Georgian Antique Choker Necklaces
Agate, Gold
1940s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 18th Century Spanish Georgian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Silver
15th Century and Earlier French Art Deco Antique Choker Necklaces
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1940s Mexican Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
1760s Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Silver
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s Regency Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Early 17th Century Brazilian Arts and Crafts Antique Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Quartz, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
18th Century Georgian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver
Early 17th Century Malagasy Arts and Crafts Antique Choker Necklaces
Rubelite, Tourmaline, Base Metal
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass
1940s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 17th Century Brazilian Arts and Crafts Antique Choker Necklaces
Citrine, 10k Gold
1940s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
18th Century Unknown Early Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1790s European Antique Choker Necklaces
Garnet, Silver
18th Century Unknown Early Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century Italian Classical Roman Antique Choker Necklaces
Coral, Gold
1790s Antique Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s French Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Gilt Metal
16th Century Italian Contemporary Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Tsavorite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
16th Century Italian Contemporary Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Greek Greek Revival Antique Choker Necklaces
22k Gold
Early 1600s Italian Antique Choker Necklaces
Steel, Stainless Steel
1940s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1940s Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
16th Century Italian Contemporary Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Gold
1940s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1940s Italian Victorian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
18th Century Portuguese Antique Choker Necklaces
Chrysoberyl, Silver
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 18th Century Late Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s American Edwardian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Artisan Antique Choker Necklaces
Garnet, 22k Gold
1940s Mexican Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass
1940s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.