Electric kettles were invented by the English to speed up tea preparation. In Australia fancy ceramic electric jugs quickly became a status symbol. During the Great Depression era anyone who could offer you a cuppa from a beautiful Electric Kookaburra Jug was considered to be doing well. Made by Nilsen Porcelain Australia in the 193Os, these kettles were unique for their charming art deco bird shape. Nilsen Electric Kookaburra Jugs are now regarded as a classic Australian icon prized by collectors. Oliver John Nilsen was born in Collingwood, Victoria in 1894. In 1916 he began his own electrical business, Oliver J. Nilsen & Co. (later Oliver J. Nilsen (Australia) Ltd). Nilsen's manufactured goods included such diverse products as transformers, bearings, battery chargers, bells, buzzers and gongs, porcelain ware, fuses, insulators and neon signs. Nilsen Porcelain Australia was a smaller company within the Nilsen group. Nilsen still operates as an electro-technology company operating throughout AustraliaThis jug is an excellent example of art deco ceramic appliances of the 1930s to 1950s on both a local and national level. It is also representative of products developed by a major Australian manufacturer. Earthernware ceramic jug, moulded in art deco style to represent an Australian kookaburra.vintage electric kettles, kitchen appliances, nilsen australia

This kettle would have been used on top of a wood stove to boil water to make tea and other beverages and to use for other household purposes. It would have been a common household item in Australian homes from the beginning of European settlement up about the mid 20th century when wood stoves, although still in use in many country areas, were largely superseded by gas or electric stoves in most households. The kettle was made of durable material as it usually remained on the top of the stove for most of the day so that hot water was readily available. This kettle is retained as an example of an essential household item used in the past. It will be useful for display.This is a circular-shaped black iron kettle with a handle and a spout. The lid is circular. The kettle is rusting inside. vintage household items, history of warrnambool