Hollywood star Zendaya has ignited a firestorm with her bold fashion choice for the London photocall of Christopher Nolan's epic 'The Odyssey' – ancient Iranian earrings that date back to 700 BC. These treasures, part of the Ziwiye hoard, have sparked outrage among archaeologists and art historians who accuse their use as a high-profile fashion accessory of hijacking Iran's rich cultural heritage.
The earrings, sourced from Mayfair-based gallery Barron London, were originally plundered by shepherds in north-western Iran back in 1947. Since then, the surviving pieces have been sold off and dispersed across museums and private collections worldwide. Barron London acquired them from another London jeweller in 2025, assuring they're responsibly stewarded according to their documented provenance and relevant laws.
Iranian-born art historian Professor Sussan Babaie of the Courtauld Institute expressed her outrage at Zendaya's styling decision, lamenting a lack of cultural knowledge among those responsible for dressing celebrities. She argued that treating these artefacts as mere accessories strips them of their profound spiritual and historical significance, reducing them to nothing more than human heritage and world heritage.
The controversy has put the spotlight on Western institutions and private collections housing ancient relics, mirroring debates surrounding items like the British Museum's Benin bronzes and the Parthenon marbles. Dr Annelise Baer pointed out that while Zendaya wearing them is a secondary issue, her high-profile platform has thrust the ethical concerns surrounding looted antiquities into the public eye in unprecedented fashion.
As tensions rise between East and West, this incident takes on added significance. Professor Babaie noted the 'baffling' juxtaposition of glamourising ancient Iranian artefacts at a time when military actions are reportedly affecting cultural and historical sites in the region. The row highlights the complex ethics surrounding ownership, display, and interpretation of ancient cultural property in our globalised world.