Hitler
Lookalikes: The kettle's handles looks like it is the Nazi leader's side parting, the lid his mustache and the spout could also resemble a Nazi salute

An advert for a kitchen appliance has sparked controversy after consumers noticed its uncanny resemblance to Adolf Hitler.

JC Penney's promotion for its Michael Graves 'Bells and Whistles' stainless steel kettle got the internet buzzing over its striking similarity to the Nazi leader.

The kettle's handle is said to look like the dictator's side parting, the top of the lid resembles his moustache and the spout suggests a Nazi salute.

A picture of the billboard advert for the $40 kettle on the 405 Interstate Highway in Culver City, Los Angeles, has gone viral after a motorist posted it on Reddit.

Within hours of appearing on the social news site, the kettle had sold out on JC Penney's website.

The advert has also stirred up a huge response from the online community with one viewer tweeting: "Every time I see that JC Penny billboard with the teapot, I keep seeing Hitler."

Another said: "Uh, no thanks, JC Penny. I don't think I want your Hitler teapot."

The retailer said that any resemblance to Hiteler was unintentional.

"If we had designed it to look like something, we would have gone with a snowman or something fun," the company tweeted.