Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Norwegian Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Beryl, Silver
Late 20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Brazilian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century American Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Quartz
Late 20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Turkish Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1960s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Italian Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Base Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Choker Necklaces
Bronze
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gold
1980s North American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold
1950s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s European Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold Plate
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Onyx, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Topaz, Sterling Silver
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k 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.