Choker Necklaces
2010s European Renaissance Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s French Byzantine Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Italian Renaissance Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Byzantine Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Byzantine Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Italian Renaissance Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century French Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s South American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Egyptian Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces
22k Gold, Brass
1980s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s French Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Renaissance Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s French Byzantine Vintage Choker Necklaces
1970s Greek Byzantine Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Byzantine Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Greek Byzantine Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Byzantine Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold
1950s American Byzantine Vintage Choker Necklaces
1980s French Renaissance Vintage Choker Necklaces
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.