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

Kettle

1985 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The body, of stainless steel, is in the shape of a cone. There is a line of raised studs, encircling the body, just above the lower rim. The circular base has a series of three, concentric indented rings. The lid which is completely detachable is a plain hemispherical section with a retaining flange at the base and is surmounted by a black, polyamide, spherical knob. The spout is a short, tapered angled cone attached to the body at the front. In the spout sits a red polyamide whistle in the shape of a bird. It is retained by a banana plug. The handle which lies in the same axis as the spout is two circular sectors of stainless steel rod supporting a blue polyamide grip, curved to the same radius. The grip itself is a cylindrical section with undulations on the underside to facilitate handling. The grip is retained on either side by a small, black washer and a red polyamide sphere.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Kettle
  • Kettle
  • Kettle
Materials and techniques
Stainless steel, polyamide
Brief description
Kettle, stainless steel and polyamide, Italy, Milan, made by Alessi s.p.a., designed by Micahel Graves, 1985.
Physical description
The body, of stainless steel, is in the shape of a cone. There is a line of raised studs, encircling the body, just above the lower rim. The circular base has a series of three, concentric indented rings. The lid which is completely detachable is a plain hemispherical section with a retaining flange at the base and is surmounted by a black, polyamide, spherical knob. The spout is a short, tapered angled cone attached to the body at the front. In the spout sits a red polyamide whistle in the shape of a bird. It is retained by a banana plug. The handle which lies in the same axis as the spout is two circular sectors of stainless steel rod supporting a blue polyamide grip, curved to the same radius. The grip itself is a cylindrical section with undulations on the underside to facilitate handling. The grip is retained on either side by a small, black washer and a red polyamide sphere.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.5cm
  • Width: 24cm
  • Diameter: 22cm
Taken from the register
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Alessi (Stamped on the base)
Credit line
Given by the manufacturer
Object history
Given by Alessi through their British agents, Penhallow Marketing Ltd, Sheffield.
Historical context
The stylistic features of Graves's work, whether it is on large scale commissions such as the city administration building for Portland, Oregon or on a small scale such as this kettle for Alessi, owes as much, iconographically, to Hollywood as to traditional, classical sources.
Subject depicted
Bibliographic references
  • ed. Glenn Adamson and Jane Pavitt, Postmodernism Style and Suversion, 1970-1990, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2011 p.267. pl.239 Steel & Style, From Project to Product, The Story of Alessi Household Ware, Patricia Scarzella, Arcadia Edizioni, Milan 1985 (translated 1987) pp.129-130
  • Towards Post-Modernism, Design Since 1851, Michael Collins, British Museum Publications, 1987, p.133, illus. pl. 139
Collection
Accession number
M.11 to B-1990

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2008
Record URL
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