electric kettle
Electric Kettle
1908-1980 (made)
1908-1980 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A kettle similar to this one is illustrated in the 1908 A.E.G. catalogue where it is described in a section headed 'Electric Tea and Water Kettles' as "Messing vernichelt, streifenartig gehammert, runde Form" ('nickel-plated brass, machine-hammered stripe decoration, round shape'). The V&A example, however, lacks the 'A.E.G.' logo and differs from the original version in the design of its element. In the 1908 Behrens kettle, the element is a solid rod encased in a sleeve and connected to the socket. It heats the water from within the body of the kettle itself, and is simple to replace because it is designed to slide in and out of the sleeve. The element for the V&A example is crudely bolted to the base of the kettle. The difference between the two designs is also apparent in the position of the kettle sockets: in the Behrens original, the socket is situated at the base of the body of the kettle; the socket on the V&A kettle sits below the body and at the top of the foot ring.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | electric kettle (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Metals, cane |
| Brief description | nickel plated brass, wicker covered handle, possibly 1925 – 1930 with later alterations, unknown manufacturer; based on a design by Peter Behrens for A.E.G. Germany, Berlin |
| Physical description | Electric kettle, pierced and stamped nickel plated brass. Spherical body of brass tapering towards the top. Slighly domed lid (detachable) with turned knop of ebonised wood. Prominent hooped handle covered with plaited wickerwork in brown and black. The handle is held in two cylindrical drum sockets which are screwed to the body of the kettle. Large oval spout set at 45 degrees to the body waisted in the central section and then swelling outwards towards the top. The kettle is supported on a wide circular, concave base soldered to the body and pierced with a series of oval slots. The base is fitted with an element - a circular iron disc bolted through the centre of the base. This operated by a two pin socket and housing attached to the outside of the base at the back. The surface of the body and lid are stamped with a pattern formed of narrow indentations arranged vertically. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | Stamped on the underside of the base-plate:
210 / 40 V
500 W
1605 |
| Gallery label |
|
| Summary | A kettle similar to this one is illustrated in the 1908 A.E.G. catalogue where it is described in a section headed 'Electric Tea and Water Kettles' as "Messing vernichelt, streifenartig gehammert, runde Form" ('nickel-plated brass, machine-hammered stripe decoration, round shape'). The V&A example, however, lacks the 'A.E.G.' logo and differs from the original version in the design of its element. In the 1908 Behrens kettle, the element is a solid rod encased in a sleeve and connected to the socket. It heats the water from within the body of the kettle itself, and is simple to replace because it is designed to slide in and out of the sleeve. The element for the V&A example is crudely bolted to the base of the kettle. The difference between the two designs is also apparent in the position of the kettle sockets: in the Behrens original, the socket is situated at the base of the body of the kettle; the socket on the V&A kettle sits below the body and at the top of the foot ring. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.61-1981 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
