Choker Necklaces
1980s Italian Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Paraiba, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Coral
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
2010s South American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1970s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
2010s Danish Modern Choker Necklaces
1970s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Gothic Revival Choker Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
2010s Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Japanese Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Danish Modern Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Danish Modern Choker Necklaces
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s French Modern Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Artist Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Beryl, Green Beryl, Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Renaissance Revival Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Early 2000s Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Arts and Crafts Choker Necklaces
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold Plate
1980s European Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 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.