A pair of 3,000-year-old Iranian earrings worn by Zendaya has ignited a fierce online debate, with critics alleging foul play in relation to how the pieces of jewelry were obtained.
Keep reading to know more.
Zendaya, 29, is starring as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, Homer’s ancient Greek epic that has remained one of the world’s most celebrated works of literature for nearly 3,000 years.
The story follows Odysseus’ long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War and continues to influence modern storytelling through its themes of resilience, loyalty and the search for home.
Speaking to Elle in May, Zendaya said taking on the role of Athena felt unexpectedly natural.
“In many ways, it feels very fitting that that would be the pairing for me,” she told the outlet of playing the daughter of Zeus. “I don’t know what that is, I just feel like I’ve been here before.”
Ancient Iranian medallions
She also embraced the film’s ancient roots off-screen, arriving at a London photocall in a white Jacquemus dress accessorized with gold earrings crafted from Iranian medallions that are approximately 3,000 years old.
The medallions date to the first millennium B.C. and are part of the Ziwiye Treasure, a collection of Median-period artifacts discovered in northwestern Iran during the late 1940s, People reports.
London jeweler Glenn Spiro later incorporated the ancient discs into wearable pieces using 18-karat yellow gold and diamonds as part of his Materials of the Old World collection, which transforms historical artifacts into contemporary jewelry.
Explaining the philosophy behind the collection in a 2025 interview with Galerie magazine, Spiro said: “You can wear something around your neck that dates back thousands of years but is still contemporary and cool.”
‘Inspires important conversations’
The earrings are now owned by fine jewelry house Barron London that told CNN the historic medallions are secured using a “simple noninvasive” claw setting designed to avoid altering or damaging the original artifacts.
The company also addressed the broader conversation surrounding cultural heritage: “Cultural heritage rightly inspires important conversations, and we welcome informed dialogue about provenance, preservation and the appreciation of exceptional craftsmanship.”
Barron London went on to reference Iran’s rich artistic history amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
“At a time when Iran is frequently viewed through the lens of contemporary events, we hope these earrings can serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring artistic, cultural and historical legacy.”
‘Likely looted from Iran’
The statement did little to quiet the growing debate online, where questions quickly shifted from craftsmanship and preservation to the artifacts’ origins and whether they should have been used as jewelry.
Among those weighing in was Instagram creator @dr_archaeology, who argued the “provenance” of the artifacts remained deeply controversial. In a video that has since sparked widespread discussion, she claimed the medallions were “likely looted from Iran” and are “gracing the ears of an American actress from a country that just bombed Iran.”
“Let’s be real, the point of these earrings is not to showcase legitimate ancient artistry, it is to fetishise the past, to be a commodity, stolen from the elite…this is about class signalling,” the woman said in the clip, adding that Zendaya’s choice was “gross.”
Disgusting
The sentiment quickly spread beyond a single social media post, with many arguing that artifacts of such historical significance belong in museums, not on a celebrity attending a film promotion.
“These 3,000-year-old Iranian earrings should be returned to Iran, or at the very least be preserved in a museum. No one has the right to use such ancient artifacts, as they are extremely valuable and represent an important part of humanity’s cultural heritage,” one user wrote.
A second commenter was even more direct, writing, “Wearing looted ancient artifacts from the very country that your country is bombing is disgusting.”
“As an Iranian this genuinely upset me. They should be in a museum not her wearing them,” a third wrote, while another added, “Girl, I love you but no. These are almost certainly looted. Shaking my head.”
‘She should be the face of history’
Not everyone saw the decision the same way. Several social media users admired the symbolism of pairing ancient artifacts with a film rooted in one of history’s oldest surviving epics.
“She should be the face of history,” one user suggested, while a second said, “Zendaya really knows how to make a fashion statement. Wearing pieces with thousands of years of history adds a whole new level of elegance – this isn’t just a look; it’s a connection between ancient art and modern culture.”
Ancient relics connect us to civilizations thousands of years old, but should they ever become wearable art? Before sharing this story, please let us know your thoughts!
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