Los Angeles: English film industry star Zendaya is facing flak over earrings made from Iranian gold medallions dating back to the 1st millennium BC, making them approximately 3,000 years old.
While appearing at a photocall for the Christopher Nolan film The Odyssey in London, Zendaya paired a white Jacquemus dress with earrings made from Iranian gold medallions.
The medallions were a part of the Ziwiye hoard, or Ziwiye treasure, which Britannica describes as a “collection of Median-period art dating to the 7th century BCE.” They were discovered in Northwest Iran during the late 1940s, per CNN, reports people.com.
The relic was mounted by London jeweller Glen Spiro with diamonds in 18K yellow gold and is believed to have been part of Spiro’s Materials of the Old World collection, which turned various artefacts including a 62-carat Colombian emerald and gold from the West African Baoulé tribe into jewellery, reports people.com.
A fine jewellery brand, which acquired the artefact from Spiro, said that the discs are held in a “simple noninvasive” claw setting so as to “not to alter or damage the original objects in any way.”
“Cultural heritage rightly inspires important conversations, and we welcome informed dialogue about provenance, preservation and the appreciation of exceptional craftsmanship,” the statement to CNN continued.
The brand also appeared to comment on the ongoing war between the United States, Israel and Iran, which began in March.
“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,” the jeweller’s statement continued.
The internet appears to be divided on Zendaya and stylist Law Roach’s decision to incorporate the earrings into the star’s looks inspired by the film.
Zendaya plays Athena, the daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom and war, in Christopher Nolan’s much-anticipated adaptation of the Homer epic.
