Kettle thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Kettle

1983 - 1989 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Kettle with melodic whistle. The body is a stainless steel dome; the base a flat copper disc. The handle of black polyamide is curved to follow the radius of the dome. The upper edges of the handle have a series of shallow indentations along the upper edges so that the appearance is rather like that of a coxcomb. The handle is secured to the body by two angle brackets at either end through which pass two steel bolts. The upper bracket for the handle has a small T shaped hole cut in the centre to allow a stainless steel strip to pass through. This strip acts as the trigger for the whistle. It ends in a semi circular loop underneath the handle; the opposite end is secured to the whistle by a steel pin. The whistle, of cast brass, is reminiscent of a revolver chamber. Two tubes, one slightly longer than the other contain the whistles which are pitched at E and B. (A replacement set is supplied by the manufacturer). The whistle chamber is secured by a bracket with a spring, attached to the rear of a narrow circular rim which also acts as the spout.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Kettle
  • Kettle
  • Kettle
Materials and techniques
Stainless steel, copper and polyamide covered handle
Brief description
Kettle, steel, copper and polyamide, Italy, Milan, made by Alessi s.p.a., designed by Richard Sapper, 1983.
Physical description
Kettle with melodic whistle. The body is a stainless steel dome; the base a flat copper disc. The handle of black polyamide is curved to follow the radius of the dome. The upper edges of the handle have a series of shallow indentations along the upper edges so that the appearance is rather like that of a coxcomb. The handle is secured to the body by two angle brackets at either end through which pass two steel bolts. The upper bracket for the handle has a small T shaped hole cut in the centre to allow a stainless steel strip to pass through. This strip acts as the trigger for the whistle. It ends in a semi circular loop underneath the handle; the opposite end is secured to the whistle by a steel pin. The whistle, of cast brass, is reminiscent of a revolver chamber. Two tubes, one slightly longer than the other contain the whistles which are pitched at E and B. (A replacement set is supplied by the manufacturer). The whistle chamber is secured by a bracket with a spring, attached to the rear of a narrow circular rim which also acts as the spout.
Dimensions
  • Height: 20cm
  • Length: 24cm
  • Diameter: 16.5cm
Taken from register
Marks and inscriptions
Alessi / INOX 18/10 / ITALY (Stamped in the centre of the base)
Credit line
Given by the manufacturer
Object history
Given by Alessi through their British agents, Penhallow Marketing Ltd, Sheffield.
Bibliographic reference
Patricia Scarzella, Steel & Style, From Project to Product, The Story of Alessi Household Ware, Arcadia Edizioni, Milan 1985 (translated 1987) pp.124-125
Collection
Accession number
M.10 to B-1990

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2008
Record URL
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