How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize
The Vince Lombardi Trophy.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
- Each year, the NFL's 32 teams kick off the season with an eye on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
- The shiny Tiffany & Co. creation is an iconic sterling-silver masterpiece.
Casual and die-hard football fans alike are familiar with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the gleaming, football-shaped prize awarded annually to the Super Bowl champions.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hoists the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LVII. Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Casual and die-hard football fans alike are familiar with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the gleaming, football-shaped prize awarded annually to the Super Bowl champions.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hoists the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LVII. Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
It's been a focal point of every Super Bowl celebration since the early days of the big game.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy after his team won Super Bowl LII. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
It's been a focal point of every Super Bowl celebration since the early days of the big game.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy after his team won Super Bowl LII. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The trophy has featured prominently in some legendary sports photos.
Tom Brady and his daughter, Vivian Lake Brady, celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after the New England Patriots' 13-3 win over Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
The trophy has featured prominently in some legendary sports photos.
Tom Brady and his daughter, Vivian Lake Brady, celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after the New England Patriots' 13-3 win over Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
And is often kissed by the victors.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL's Super Bowl XLIV. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes
And is often kissed by the victors.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL's Super Bowl XLIV. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes
But most people don't know much about where the iconic trophy comes from ...
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII. Associated Press
But most people don't know much about where the iconic trophy comes from ...
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII. Associated Press
... or how it's made.
The base of the Vince Lombardi Trophy is torched. Tiffany & Co.
... or how it's made.
The base of the Vince Lombardi Trophy is torched. Tiffany & Co.
The stunning piece is a creation of Tiffany & Co., the iconic luxury jewelry brand based in New York City.
The Tiffany and Co. flagship store on Fifth Avenue. Richard Levine/Corbis/Getty Images
The stunning piece is a creation of Tiffany & Co., the iconic luxury jewelry brand based in New York City.
The Tiffany and Co. flagship store on Fifth Avenue. Richard Levine/Corbis/Getty Images
Though the company behind the iconic Blue Box may seem like an odd match for football, Tiffany is actually behind many of the most legendary trophies in sports.
Naomi Osaka poses with the US Open trophy — made by Tiffany & Co. — after winning the 2020 Women's Singles Final. Getty Images / Matthew Stockman
Though the company behind the iconic Blue Box may seem like an odd match for football, Tiffany is actually behind many of the most legendary trophies in sports.
Naomi Osaka poses with the US Open trophy — made by Tiffany & Co. — after winning the 2020 Women's Singles Final. Getty Images / Matthew Stockman
The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy of the NBA, Commissioner's Trophy of MLB, US Open singles trophies, WNBA championship trophy, PGA Tour FedExCup trophy, and dozens more all come from the brand.
Michael Jordan hoists the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the Chicago Bulls won the NBA Finals. JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images
The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy of the NBA, Commissioner's Trophy of MLB, US Open singles trophies, WNBA championship trophy, PGA Tour FedExCup trophy, and dozens more all come from the brand.
Michael Jordan hoists the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the Chicago Bulls won the NBA Finals. JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images
Tiffany took on responsibility for the Lombardi Trophy from the very first Super Bowl.
Vince Lombardi (right) and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Hank Stram shake hands as they view the Super Bowl Trophy before Super Bowl I. Bettmann/Getty Images
Tiffany took on responsibility for the Lombardi Trophy from the very first Super Bowl.
Vince Lombardi (right) and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Hank Stram shake hands as they view the Super Bowl Trophy before Super Bowl I. Bettmann/Getty Images
Ahead of Super Bowl I in 1967, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle contacted Tiffany — and only Tiffany — to come up with a design for the trophy.
NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle (left) presents the Vince Lombardi trophy to Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. AP Photos
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Ahead of Super Bowl I in 1967, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle contacted Tiffany — and only Tiffany — to come up with a design for the trophy.
NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle (left) presents the Vince Lombardi trophy to Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. AP Photos
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tiffany & Co. design chief Oscar Riedener — a Swiss native who knew little about football — is said to have come up with the blueprint of a football atop a kicking tee while eating breakfast in his home.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy at Tiffany & Co. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tiffany & Co. design chief Oscar Riedener — a Swiss native who knew little about football — is said to have come up with the blueprint of a football atop a kicking tee while eating breakfast in his home.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy at Tiffany & Co. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
A few days later, Riedener drew the design on a cocktail napkin while eating lunch with Rozelle. His vision continues to be the symbol of triumph in the NFL 57 years later.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy on display. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
A few days later, Riedener drew the design on a cocktail napkin while eating lunch with Rozelle. His vision continues to be the symbol of triumph in the NFL 57 years later.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy on display. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
The first version of the iconic trophy was made in Newark, New Jersey. Subsequent iterations were crafted by the company just down the road in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Newark, New Jersey. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
The first version of the iconic trophy was made in Newark, New Jersey. Subsequent iterations were crafted by the company just down the road in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Newark, New Jersey. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
The trophy received its official name ahead of Super Bowl V in 1971. It was named for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls. He died in September 1970.
Vince Lombardi. AP Photo/Charles Knoblock
Source: NFL
The trophy received its official name ahead of Super Bowl V in 1971. It was named for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls. He died in September 1970.
Vince Lombardi. AP Photo/Charles Knoblock
Source: NFL
The trophy is now handcrafted in Tiffany's Cumberland, Rhode Island, hollowware workshop.
A Tiffany & Co. sign. Alexander/Getty Images
Source: WPRI
The trophy is now handcrafted in Tiffany's Cumberland, Rhode Island, hollowware workshop.
A Tiffany & Co. sign. Alexander/Getty Images
Source: WPRI
Silversmiths, metal spinners, and engravers spend roughly four months creating the masterpiece each year.
A master engraver works in front of iconic sports trophies at Tiffany & Co. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Source: NBC Philadelphia
Silversmiths, metal spinners, and engravers spend roughly four months creating the masterpiece each year.
A master engraver works in front of iconic sports trophies at Tiffany & Co. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Source: NBC Philadelphia
The process starts in a furnace, where sterling silver is heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and melted in preparation for shaping.
It takes temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to melt sterling silver. Tiffany & Co.
The process starts in a furnace, where sterling silver is heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and melted in preparation for shaping.
It takes temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to melt sterling silver. Tiffany & Co.
Molding, shaping, and carving come next — with heat added to maintain pliability.
A Tiffany silversmith uses a blowtorch to heat the base of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tiffany & Co.
Molding, shaping, and carving come next — with heat added to maintain pliability.
A Tiffany silversmith uses a blowtorch to heat the base of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tiffany & Co.
Polishing is essential to generating the trophy's signature shine.
A polished portion of the Lombardi trophy. Tiffany & Co.
Polishing is essential to generating the trophy's signature shine.
A polished portion of the Lombardi trophy. Tiffany & Co.
Subtle details — like the football's laces — are then hammered into the precious metal.
The top of the Vince Lombardi Trophy rests on a blue Tiffany & Co. bag. Tiffany & Co.
Subtle details — like the football's laces — are then hammered into the precious metal.
The top of the Vince Lombardi Trophy rests on a blue Tiffany & Co. bag. Tiffany & Co.
And others are etched into the silver.
The NFL logo is etched into silver for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tiffany & Co.
And others are etched into the silver.
The NFL logo is etched into silver for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tiffany & Co.
Many long hours and four legacy silversmithing techniques later, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is ready for football's greatest stage.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tiffany & Co.
Many long hours and four legacy silversmithing techniques later, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is ready for football's greatest stage.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tiffany & Co.
The only question now is whose hands it'll land in this year: the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes or the San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy?
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers (L) and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Candice Ward/Getty Images
The only question now is whose hands it'll land in this year: the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes or the San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy?
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers (L) and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Candice Ward/Getty Images
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