Hollywood superstar and model Zendaya’s latest red carpet appearance turned heads for its historic jewellery, but the rare ancient gold earrings she wore also triggered a debate over cultural heritage, ownership, and the ethics of displaying archaeological artefacts.
While promoting Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey in London, the Hollywood star appeared in a custom white Jacquemus gown paired with striking earrings featuring authentic 3,000-year-old Iranian gold discs from the Zivia treasure.
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The pieces, sourced through London-based antique dealer Barron London, were carefully reset in 18-carat yellow gold and diamonds, blending ancient craftsmanship with modern luxury.
The jewellery became the centre of attention because the gold plaques originated from Zivia, a historic archaeological discovery made in 1947 near Saqqez in Iran’s Kurdistan region.
The treasure, believed to contain hundreds of ancient artefacts, was uncovered by villagers before archaeologists arrived, leading to many pieces being separated and sold internationally.
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Although many praised Zendaya’s fashion choice and the historical importance of the jewellery, others on social media questioned how the artefacts left Iran and whether using ancient cultural objects as luxury accessories was appropriate.
Critics argued that displaying heritage items from the Global South in Western fashion settings raises concerns about ownership, preservation, and colonial-era collecting practices.
i know people get real feisty when you criticize their faves but zendaya having law roach take a private jet to europe just to pick up a dress for her to wear the same evening AND THEN wearing stolen ancient iranian artifacts as earrings…
it leaves a bad taste in my mouth— brecht apologist (@madison_tayt) July 13, 2026
zendaya says she auditions for white roles because she wants to give a chance to black actresses in the industry but has taken roles meant for mediterraneans and north africans and is now wearing jewelry stolen by white people from the middle east #okay https://t.co/DUgnHYjpsP
— rose🪼 (@nedsattorney) July 14, 2026
Zendaya wore 3,000 year old earrings to The Odyssey London photocall
The earrings featured ancient gold medallion plaques believed to originate from the Ziwiye Hoard in present day Iran, dating to the 1st millennium BC pic.twitter.com/fAPTni1bRS
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) July 14, 2026
Zendaya wearing stolen ancient artifacts from a country and region that’s being bombed, where women and girls are being murdered and disabled by the gov’t and military of her country, at a film premiere is vile and tasteless.
Zendaya, Law, and the thief who made these are gross. https://t.co/UMx4vA2Z9p— Carolyn Hinds 🇧🇧 #FreePalestine #CongoInCrisis (@CarrieCnh12) July 14, 2026
London-based author and historian Zirrar Ali criticized the trend of celebrities wearing historical artefacts, saying such displays can sometimes represent “one culture asserting ownership over the heritage of another.”
