Designed by the renowned Michael Graves in 1985, the stainless steel 9093 kettle with the red bird-shaped whistle quickly became an icon of 20th century design. Today, 30 years later, the kettle is still one of Alessi's most popular projects, which led to the idea of designing a new version in honor of its lasting power to delight.

To mark its anniversary Graves envisioned a new evolution of the kettle, redesigning its whistle. The initial idea, completed before his death, transformed the bird into a cross between an imaginary and mythological prehistoric creature. The “Tea Rex” whistle is a jade green dragon that symbolizes strength and fortune in the Chinese culture.

Made out of 18/10 stainless steel and produced, like the original, at the company’s Crusinallo site, the “Tea Rex” kettle comes with a jade whistle combined with a blue handle, and with a metallic colored whistle with copper paired with a black handle.

To celebrate the anniversary, the wording “Tea Rex 9093 30th anniversary” is stamped on the lid of the kettle around the ball grip. The graphics of the 30th anniversary packaging are also special with the icon of the new whistle set in contrast to that of the original project.

Of the new whistle, designer Michael Graves said: “In bird years, thirty is equivalent to Methuselah’s life span! So When Alberto Alessi asked me to design a new whistle to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of our teakettle, I imagined a new evolution in the history of our kettle. One where our little bird might transform into a super-hero