Zendaya is facing criticism after wearing ancient Iranian gold medallions to a press event in London, with archaeologists, historians, and social media users questioning the choice amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
During a photocall for The Odyssey, the actress stepped out in earrings described by jewelry dealer Barron London as “a pair of Ziwiye gold medallion plaques, circa first millennium BC Iran.” The ancient pieces are decorated with traditional Iranian sun motifs.
Macquarie University history and archaeology associate professor Peter Edwell said the earrings can be traced back to a controversial origin.
“It’s believed the items Zendaya wore came from quite a problematic hoard that was discovered in Ziwiye in Iran in the late 1940s,” he explained. “It wasn’t excavated. It was plundered and then dispersed out to private and public collections.”
Edwell noted that the wording used to describe the earrings’ background immediately raises concerns. According to him, the phrase “undisclosed origin” typically suggests “the artifact has, at some point, been plundered illegally.”
Describing the issue as “obviously a huge problem,” he said the illegal antiquities trade is often fueled by organized crime. “Artifact smuggling is run by criminal gangs and organized crime syndicates—a sophisticated, multi-level, international practice,” he added.
London-based Islamic history and art expert Zirrar Ali also criticized Zendaya’s decision to wear the earrings, calling it “distasteful” given that they appeared during a period of active conflict involving the U.S. and Iran. The conflict has reportedly claimed more than 3,000 lives and left tens of thousands injured.
In a statement to CNN, Barron London said it welcomes “informed dialogue about provenance, preservation and the appreciation of exceptional craftsmanship.” The jewelry dealer added that it hopes the earrings “can also serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring artistic, cultural, and historical legacy.”
The controversy comes as Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Law Roach, was already under fire for taking a private jet to pick up a Schiaparelli gown the actress wore during the same press tour.
Earlier this year, Margot Robbie also sparked backlash after wearing the $8.8 million Taj Mahal Diamond, which bears a Parsi inscription, during a red carpet appearance.
