Who would ever guess that this exotic hand-blown glass carafe is a working two-quart water kettle? This work of art was designed in 1949 by Peter Schlumbohm and is in the permanent collections of both the Museum of Modern Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Its ingenious design allows water to be boiled and poured immediately, with its handle remaining cool to the touch. The secret is in the baton-like steam stopper. As water boils, the silicone ball allows the steam to pass through right out of the vessel. Since glass is an excellent insulator and the steam never touches the inside of the handle, the handle remains cool enough for handling. Magic.

Use this artsy kettle, not just for boiling water, but for serving iced tea, fruit beverages, and hot or cold soups. Included with the kettle is a wire grid for use on an electric stove.