Zendaya wore 3000 year old earrings featuring ancient gold medallion plaques from the Ziwiye Hoard to the London photocall for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey. The pieces, dating to the 1st millennium BC in present day Iran, were remounted in modern 18 karat gold settings with diamonds by jeweler Barron London. She appeared as Athena, the goddess she portrays in the epic adaptation, drawing immediate attention to the historical artifacts amid her press tour looks.
The photocall took place on July 5, 2026, at the IET Building on Savoy Place in London. Zendaya stepped out in a custom ivory Jacquemus column gown with an open back, draping details, and a sleek white headscarf. Professional photographs captured her poised presence with a neutral, confident expression, gazing directly or over her shoulder in elegant three quarter views. The large circular gold discs, featuring intricate sun or flower like motifs with a central raised boss and radiating elements, dominated her look against the branded film backdrop.
These ornaments originate from the Ziwiye Hoard, a significant treasure uncovered in 1947 by local peasants near Ziwiyeh castle close to Saqqez in Iran’s Kurdistan province. The collection of gold, silver, and ivory objects was dispersed through dealers and museums, reflecting cultural exchanges among Median, Assyrian, Scythian, and early Achaemenid influences around 700 BC. Specific medallion plaques entered private collections before Barron London acquired them for remounting by expert jeweler Glenn Spiro, who transformed the archaeological pieces into wearable earrings and stacked rings.
Zendaya likely received the jewelry through standard high fashion loan arrangements for major events, a practice that allows celebrities access to rare items from private holdings or designer archives. This approach enabled her to showcase the artifacts without permanent ownership transfer. The result blended ancient Near Eastern artistry with contemporary glamour, creating a striking visual that tied directly into her mythological role while highlighting themes of cultural crossroads in both history and modern cinema.
This moment underscores the intersection of Hollywood glamour and historical preservation. By selecting pieces tied to ancient Near Eastern artistry for a role rooted in Greek mythology, Zendaya bridges disparate cultural narratives in a single look styled by Law Roach. It invites reflection on how celebrities wield influence over public interest in antiquities, potentially encouraging deeper engagement with museum collections and ethical sourcing practices in luxury design. As The Odyssey nears theaters, such details enrich the film’s promotional narrative and remind audiences of the layered histories woven into entertainment.
