Zendaya's red-carpet appearance at 'The Odyssey' photocall has ignited a blazing row over ancient artefacts, with the actor's glamorous gold earrings stealing the spotlight. The 22-year-old starlet, donning a striking look as goddess Athena, unwittingly became the focal point for a fiery debate that's got experts and heritage advocates hot under the collar.
The earrings in question are part of the Ziwiye hoard, an archaeological treasure unearthed in north-west Iran in 1947 – dating back to the 1st millennium BC. Barron London, the Mayfair gallery behind the sale, claims the intricate pieces celebrate the artistry of ancient Persian goldsmiths. But experts say this cultural appreciation takes a backseat to transparency over provenance – and they're not buying it.
Academics and advocates are calling for Barron London to come clean about the earrings' history, releasing all records and conducting independent inspections. Dr Christos Tsirogiannis, an antiquities expert at the Swiss Federal Office of Culture, can't believe no one in Zendaya's camp sounded the alarm, given the infamous scandals surrounding illicit antiquities.
Romina Frohar, PhD researcher at Glasgow School of Art and founder of the Forensic Archive of Iran, warns that even legally acquired pieces pose ethical dilemmas if their private ownership lacks transparency, conservation efforts, or scholarly access. She argues that legal possession doesn't negate cultural claims – dealers and collectors must be held accountable.
This high-profile incident shines a spotlight on the murky world of rare treasure trading, where priceless relics are transformed into luxury items. Ancient treasures abound at auction houses and in dealer's hands, from Egyptian mummy masks to Hellenistic gold earrings. Experts estimate that up to 90% of antiquities on the market lack proper provenance documentation – or worse, are illicitly sourced.