Zendaya is facing criticism after wearing earrings fashioned from 700BC Iranian artefacts during a press tour for the film The Odyssey.
Key facts
- •The earrings are made from artefacts linked to the Ziwiye hoard, which was discovered in Iran in 1947 and subsequently looted.
- •Barron London, the gallery that provided the earrings, purchased them from jeweller Glenn Spiro in 2025.
- •Professor Sussan Babaie stated that the jewellery likely held important spiritual connotations and should not be used as fashion accessories.
- •Dr. Annelise Baer noted that the public nature of the film's press tour has highlighted the ethical issue of using looted antiquities.
- •The Odyssey is also facing a boycott call from Sahrawi filmmakers regarding its filming in Western Sahara.
Zendaya, who plays the goddess Athena in Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey, wore earrings made from ancient Iranian artefacts during a London photocall. The jewellery, which dates back to 700BC, has sparked backlash from archaeologists and historians who argue that using such culturally significant items as red-carpet accessories is inappropriate. The earrings were provided by the Mayfair-based gallery Barron London, which maintains that the items are legally held and were intended to celebrate Persian artistry.
By the numbers
Origin of the Artefacts
The earrings are attributed to the Ziwiye hoard, a collection of gold, silver, bronze, and terracotta items discovered in north-western Iran in 1947. According to research, the hoard was looted by shepherds and subsequently sold in antique markets during the 1960s, leading to the dispersal of the pieces among various museums and private collections. Barron London stated that they acquired the earrings from London jeweller Glenn Spiro in 2025.
Criticism and Ethical Concerns
Critics, including art historian Professor Sussan Babaie, have described the use of the jewellery as a "hijacking" of Iran's cultural contributions. Babaie argued that the objects likely held spiritual significance and that wearing them as accessories strips them of their meaning. Archaeologist Dr. Annelise Baer noted that the primary ethical concern is that the earrings are made from looted antiquities, with Zendaya’s public appearance bringing the issue into the international spotlight.
Gallery and Production Context
Barron London stated that the loan was not commercial in nature but intended to encourage appreciation for ancient Persian goldsmithing. The gallery asserted that the items are "responsibly stewarded" and comply with all legal requirements. Separately, the film The Odyssey has faced additional criticism from Sahrawi filmmakers, who have called for a boycott due to the production's use of Dakhla in Western Sahara as a filming location.
Timeline
- 1947The Ziwiye hoard is discovered in north-western Iran and subsequently looted.
- 1960sSurviving pieces of the hoard are sold in antique markets out of Iran.
- 2025Barron London purchases the earrings from Glenn Spiro.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Fashion.
