The podium used by Professor Dumbledore is covered in real gold and years of melted wax.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/76562640@N00">Rob Young</a> from United Kingdom
CC BY 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rob-young/7119146507/">Professor Dumbledore and The Owl Podium</a>