Archduchess Isabella’s Köchert Diamond Fringe Tiara

Yesterday marked the 170th Anniversary of the birth of Archduchess Isabella, Duchess of Teschen, who was born in 1856. The Princess of the House of Croÿ married Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Teschen, and had eight daughters and one son, who made prominent marriages within several European royal houses. Since we have already featured her iconic Habsburg Peridot Parure, today we will be focusing on her Diamond Fringe Tiara!

The Diamond Fringe Tiara was created by the Imperial Jeweller A. E. Köchert and was likely a Wedding gift from Emperor Franz Joseph.

Kokoschnick diadem with 48 diamond rays, late 19th century. Diadems were the traditional wedding gift of Emperor Franz Joseph to archduchesses. Imperial and Royal Court and Chamber Jeweler A. 8 E. Köchert, Vienna,

Archduchess Isabella was first pictured wearing this magnificent Diamond Fringe Tiara for a series of official portraits in the 1880s.

The Diamond Fringe Tiara was also worn by Archduchess Isabella for a series of portraits in Hungarian Court Dress taken around 1903.

In 1916, Archduchess Isabella loaned the Diamond Fringe Tiara to her daughter, Archduchess Gabriele, for the wartime Coronation of Emperor Charles I of Austria as King of Hungary.

Archduchess Isabella was pictured wearing the Diamond Fringe Tiara for a portrait in 1917, a year before the abolition of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the fall of the House of Habsburg. Following the First World War, the Family Estates in Austria, Poland and Czechoslovakia were confiscated but they retained their Hungarian Estates. The fate of this Tiara is unknown and it may have been sold off like the Habsburg Peridot Parure, or may still remain with her numerous descendants.

UPDATE: The Tiara remains with the Archduchess’s descendants and went on display in the ‘Secret Treasures of the House of Habsburg’ Exhibition at Schloss Halbturn in 2025, thanks to Beatrice at Köchert.