In 1985 the American architect Michael Graves designed a stovetop kettle for Alessi with a small plastic bird on the spout that sings when the water boils. The 9093 went on to become one of the best-selling objects Alessi has ever made, and it is still in production.
Why it lasted
Graves mixed influences that rarely sit together: European design, American pop and a touch of pre-Columbian ornament. The result is a polished steel cone with a wide base, a blue handle and that bird. It is playful without being a novelty, and it still looks right in a modern kitchen forty years on.
The wide base also has a practical side: it sits steadily on a burner and heats quickly.
Versions
Alongside the original there is the Tea Rex, with a small dinosaur whistle instead of the bird, in finishes such as copper.
Keeping one going
Parts are replaceable, which is part of why these kettles stay in families. We stock the black lid knob and the clear lid cap.
- Keep the flame or element no wider than the base, so the handle and bird stay cool.
- Empty it after use and dry the outside to keep the steel bright.
- Check the product details for your cooktop type before buying.
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