What instrument is represented by the Grammy Awards trophy?

The Grammy Awards trophy represents a gramophone, an early sound-recording and playback machine.

The trophy is a small gold-colored gramophone mounted on a base. Its design connects the awards directly to the history of recorded music, rather than depicting a particular musical genre or performer.

The name “Grammy” is a shortened form of “gramophone.” The Recording Academy selected the name after a contest, and the gramophone image became the award’s defining visual symbol.

Modern Grammy trophies are handcrafted by Billings Artworks in Colorado. They are made from a proprietary zinc alloy and finished with a gold plating process. Winners receive a trophy at the ceremony, while additional personalized statuettes may be produced later for credited contributors.