Zendaya Sparks Controversy with Ancient Iranian Gold Earrings at Film Event

Zendaya's Choice of Earrings Raises Eyebrows

Los Angeles: Zendaya, the renowned star of the English film industry, is under scrutiny for wearing earrings crafted from ancient Iranian gold medallions that date back to the 1st millennium BC, approximately 3,000 years ago.

During a photocall for Christopher Nolan's film The Odyssey in London, she showcased these earrings alongside a chic white Jacquemus dress.

These medallions are part of the Ziwiye hoard, a collection of Median-period art from the 7th century BCE, discovered in Northwest Iran in the late 1940s, according to reports.

The earrings were designed by London jeweller Glen Spiro, who incorporated diamonds into 18K yellow gold, and they are believed to belong to Spiro’s Materials of the Old World collection, which features various historical artefacts transformed into jewelry.

A fine jewelry brand that purchased the artefact from Spiro stated that the medallions are set in a 'simple noninvasive' claw setting to preserve their original condition.

The brand emphasized the importance of cultural heritage and welcomed discussions about provenance, preservation, and craftsmanship.

In light of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, the jeweller expressed hope that these earrings would remind people of Iran's rich artistic and cultural history.

Public opinion is split regarding Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach's choice to feature these earrings in her looks inspired by the film.

In The Odyssey, Zendaya portrays Athena, the daughter of Zeus and the goddess of wisdom and war, in this eagerly awaited adaptation of the Homeric epic.