Dwarf smiths who forged Gungnir, Skidbladnir, and Sif's golden hair.
The Sons of Ivaldi (Old Norse Ívaldasonar) are a group of dwarf smiths who in Skáldskaparmál 35 forge three precious items for the gods: the spear Gungnir (for Odin), the ship Skidbladnir (for Freyr), and the golden hair that replaces Sif's hair, which Loki had cut off. It is Loki who commissions the work from the Sons of Ivaldi to make amends for his mischief.
Their work forms the first half of the famous smithing wager. When Loki then bets Brokkr that his brother Sindri cannot forge finer things, the contest begins that results in Mjölnir, Draupnir, and Gullinbursti. The Sons of Ivaldi are never named individually in the surviving sources, and their father Ivaldi does not appear in any independent narrative either.
Sources in the Eddas
- Skáldskaparmál 35
- The Sons of Ivaldi forge Gungnir, Skidbladnir, and Sif's golden hair at Loki's commission.
- Grímnismál 43
- Skidbladnir is named as the best of ships, forged by the Sons of Ivaldi.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
The Sons of Ivaldi forged Gungnir, Skidbladnir, and Sif's hair (Skáldskaparmál 35).
Their work triggered the smithing wager that gave the gods Mjölnir.
B What we think we know
That the Sons of Ivaldi are never named individually suggests they may be a collective mythological figure rather than specific persons.
C What we do not know
Ivaldi's identity and the number of his sons lack attestation outside Skáldskaparmál.