Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======Goblin-Wrought Silver====== =====Object Information===== * **Type:** Enchanted Material * **Owners:** Various [[Wizards]] and [[Witches]] (though ownership is a point of major contention with its makers) * **Maker:** [[Goblins]] =====Description and Appearance===== Goblin-wrought silver refers to objects crafted from [[silver]] by [[Goblins]]. This metalwork is considered to be of the highest possible quality, often enchanted with unique magical properties that are difficult, if not impossible, for [[Wizards]] to replicate. The craftsmanship is typically exquisite and highly prized. Examples of goblin-wrought silver described in the series include: * The **[[Sword of Gryffindor]]**, a magnificent sword with a glittering silver blade and a hilt encrusted with egg-sized rubies. * A **tiara** worn by [[Fleur Delacour]] at her wedding, which was described as beautifully made and radiating a soft, white light. =====Magical Properties and Usage===== The most significant magical property of goblin-wrought silver is its ability to interact with substances it comes into contact with. According to both the portrait of [[Phineas Nigellus Black]] and the goblin [[Griphook]], true goblin-made armour or weaponry repels ordinary dirt and only //"imbibes that which strengthens it."// This unique quality is central to the plot of the series. The [[Sword of Gryffindor]], having been used by [[Harry Potter]] to kill the [[Basilisk]] in the [[Chamber of Secrets]], absorbed the creature's potent venom. Because [[basilisk]] venom is one of the few substances capable of destroying a [[Horcrux]], the sword itself became an effective tool for their destruction. This property allows goblin-wrought items to become more powerful over time, depending on how they are used. =====History===== The history of goblin-wrought silver is deeply intertwined with the contentious relationship between [[Goblins]] and [[Wizards]]. From a goblin's perspective, the payment for a commissioned item is merely a rental fee for its use during the purchaser's lifetime. Upon the original owner's death, [[Goblins]] believe the object should rightfully be returned to the descendants of its maker. Wizards, however, operate on the principle of a final sale, believing that once an item is paid for, it becomes the permanent property of the purchaser and their heirs. This fundamental disagreement in culture and law has been a primary source of conflict for centuries, leading to what [[Bill Weasley]] described as "bloody and vicious" [[Goblin Rebellions]]. The most famous dispute centers on the [[Sword of Gryffindor]]. [[Goblins]], including [[Griphook]], maintain that [[Godric Gryffindor]] "stole" the sword from its maker, [[Ragnuk the First]]. The official wizarding account, however, states that [[Gryffindor]] commissioned and paid for the sword fairly. =====Role in the Story===== Goblin-wrought silver plays a crucial dual role in the narrative. - **Plot Device:** The unique property of the [[Sword of Gryffindor]] to "imbibe that which strengthens it" is essential for the destruction of [[Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Horcruxes]]. Without this goblin-imparted magic, [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] would have had far fewer means to defeat the Dark Lord. - **Cultural Exposition:** The concept of goblin ownership serves as a powerful lens through which the series explores themes of prejudice, historical injustice, and cultural misunderstanding. [[Griphook]]'s decision to help the trio break into [[Gringotts]] is entirely motivated by his desire to reclaim the [[Sword of Gryffindor]]. His subsequent betrayal, once he has the sword, highlights the deep and seemingly irreconcilable chasm between goblin and wizard viewpoints. =====Behind the Scenes===== * In //[[Quidditch Through the Ages]]//, it is mentioned that when the [[Golden Snidget]] was endangered, a goblin-made substitute, the [[Golden Snitch]], was invented by a wizard named [[Bowman Wright]]. The silver charmwork on the first [[Snitch]] was likely goblin-wrought, reflecting their renowned skill with metals. ([[Quidditch Through the Ages]])
