▲ Zendaya wearing the ancient Iranian artifact earrings
British newspaper The Guardian reported that earrings worn by actor Zendaya, who stars in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film "Odyssey," at a promotional event have been identified as ancient Iranian artifacts, sparking controversy.
According to the report, the earrings were crafted around 700 BC and are believed to be part of the "Ziwiyeh Treasure" discovered in northwestern Iran in 1947.
Researchers explained that these treasures were smuggled overseas through the international antique market in the 1960s and are currently scattered among various museums and private collectors.
The earrings in question were reportedly purchased last year by the British gallery Baron London from London jeweler Glenn Spiro.
Susan Babaie, an Iranian-born art historian who saw them, strongly criticized the earrings, calling them "common cultural heritage of humanity."
She argued that the historical and cultural significance originally held by the earrings has been lost, stating that they were "hijacked, flattened, and distorted from their cultural contributions (of ancient Iran)."
The Guardian noted that the backlash is further intensified as Iranian cultural heritage was consumed like mere decoration at a Hollywood promotional event, especially amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
In response, Baron London issued a statement explaining that "the lending of the earrings was not for commercial purposes" and that "the intention was to highlight Iran's rich cultural and artistic heritage, which has been overshadowed by modern political conflicts."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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