Seiðr Loom

dwarf

Sons of Ivaldi

Ívalda synir

Dwarf smiths who made three treasures for the gods: Freyr's folding ship Skíðblaðnir, Odin's spear Gungnir and Sif's golden hair.

The sons of Ívaldi are dwarf smiths. The sources never give their names or their number, or tell us anything about their father. They are known only for what they made.

Grímnismál says that "in days of old" they built Skíðblaðnir, "the best of ships for the bright god Freyr" Grímnismál 43. Snorri quotes the stanza, calls them "certain dwarves", and explains the ship: big enough for all the Æsir with their weapons, always given a favouring wind, and yet able to be folded up and kept in a pouch Gylfaginning 43.

In Skáldskaparmál they take a larger part. When Loki has shorn Sif and promised Thor that "the Black Elves" will make her new hair of gold, he goes "to those dwarves who are called Ívaldi's Sons". They make the hair, the ship and the spear Gungnir Skáldskaparmál 35. Their work sets the standard in the contest that follows: Loki bets Brokkr that his brother cannot match it, and loses (see The treasures of the gods: Sif's hair and Brokkr's wager).

The passage is one of those in which Snorri calls dwarves "black elves" (see Svartálfaheimr).

In the sources

Quoted from the hosted translations; each line is checked against the text when the site is built. Select a reference to read it in context.

In days of old did Ivaldi's sons Skithblathnir fashion fair, The best of ships for the bright god Freyr
Grímnismál 43 The poem credits them with Freyr's ship.
Certain dwarves, sons of Ívaldi, made Skídbladnir and gave the ship to Freyr.
Gylfaginning 43 Snorri calls them dwarves and describes the ship that folds like a napkin.
After that, Loki went to those dwarves who are called Ívaldi's Sons; and they made the hair, and Skídbladnir also, and the spear which became Odin's possession, and was called Gungnir.
Skáldskaparmál 35 In Skáldskaparmál they make all three treasures at Loki's request.

Where the sources disagree or fall silent

  • Ívaldi himself is never described; the number and names of his sons are not given.
  • Grímnismál and Gylfaginning 43 mention only the ship; Skáldskaparmál 35 adds the hair and the spear in the context of Loki's errand.

Myths with Sons of Ivaldi

The treasures of the gods: Sif's hair and Brokkr's wager Loki shaves Sif's head, and to save his own skin sets two families of dwarf-smiths competing. The result is six treasures — golden hair, a folding ship, a spear, a ring, a golden boar and Thor's hammer — and Loki's lips sewn shut.

Related

Skíðblaðnir Freyr's magical ship, built by the dwarf sons of Ivaldi: big enough to carry all the gods, always with a fair wind, and foldable to fit in a pouch. Gungnir Odin's spear, made by the dwarves called Ívaldi's sons; Snorri says it never stops in its thrust, and Odin carries it into his last battle. Sif Thor's wife, mother of Ullr and Þrúðr, famous for the golden hair the dwarfs made for her after Loki cut off her own. Freyr The Vanir god of rain, sunshine, harvest and peace, son of Njörðr. He gave away his sword to win the giantess Gerðr, and will fall unarmed against Surtr at Ragnarök. Loki The giant-born trickster counted among the Æsir: father of Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent and Hel, contriver of Baldr's death, bound until Ragnarök. Brokkr The dwarf who bet Loki his head that his brother could out-forge Ívaldi's sons, worked the bellows while a fly stung him, won, and sewed Loki's lips shut. Eitri The dwarf smith, Brokkr's brother, who forged the boar Gullinbursti, the ring Draupnir and Thor's hammer Mjöllnir; Brodeur's translation calls him Sindri. Dwarves dvergar The underground smiths of Norse myth, made from the giant Ymir's flesh or blood; they forge the gods' greatest treasures, brew the mead of poetry, and fear the daylight.