Zendaya’s earrings feature 2,700-yr-old Iranian jewellery, controversy over looted artifacts

American actress Zendaya has sparked controversy at a photocall in London as part of the global promotion of Hollywood director Christopher Nolan’s new film ‘The Odyssey.’ She later appeared in the form of an ancient Iranian jewellery earring from 700 BC.

Art historians and archaeologists have strongly criticized the use of valuable and culturally significant world heritage as fashion accessories to promote Hollywood commercial films, calling it a ‘robbery and undervaluation’ of Iran’s ancient cultural contributions.

Zendaya plays the Greek goddess Athena in the film ‘The Odyssey’.

The earrings worn by Zendaya were acquired from Baron London, a Mayfair-based antiques gallery. According to the gallery’s website, they work with collectors and institutions to secretly buy and sell works of historical significance.

An official statement from Barron’s London said that in 2025, the gallery acquired the two pieces from another London jeweller, Glenn Spiro. The organisation claims that the artifacts are part of the ‘Treasure of Life’ dating back to 700 BC.

This historic treasure trove of gold, silver and bronze was discovered by shepherds in northwestern Iran in the late 1940s, but was later looted. According to a 2015 research article, the remains of this ancient treasure trove were sold in antique markets outside Iran in the 1960s.

They are now scattered around museums and private collections around the world. Susan Babei Zendaya, an Iranian-born art historian and professor at the Courtauld Institute, expressed strong outrage over such a choice of clothing.