Choker Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Carnelian, Turquoise, Gold Plate
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl
Late 20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1960s Norwegian Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Beryl, Silver
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald
20th Century American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1980s Brazilian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k 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
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Quartz
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century Choker Necklaces
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s French Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1940s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Danish Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Turkish Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1950s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Base Metal
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
1970s British Vintage Choker Necklaces
Bronze
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Modern Choker Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
14k Gold
1980s North American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 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.