Tin box - Blik - Art Deco Winkelblik

A beautiful piece of history! Truly unique vintage, possibly antique, Koopmans’ Bakery Powder Can (ca. 1935–1940)

This extremely rare, large factory-store can from Koopmans Meelfabrieken N.V. Leeuwarden is a museum example of pre-war Dutch industrial design. While small consumer cans were preserved, these large B2B containers for professional bakers were almost always discarded after use.

This can is unique due to the 'R' crest: whereas Koopmans later became known for its mill logo, this early industrial emblem shows an 'R'. This stood for Leavening Agent—so that the baker could directly grab the right vat in a dark flour cellar—and served as a specific trademark for Koopmans’ chemical product line. There are no dots after NV, the spelling 'MEELFABRIEKEN N V' (without periods) aligns with the modernist design trend from the 1930s and 1940s to make text blocks look tighter. Additionally, the apostrophe "s" in Koopmans’ points to classical grammar of the old possessive form before the major spelling reform of 1947.

There is a piece of adhesive edge visible on the inside of the lid; residues in the lid reveal the location of the original paper label with the legal ingredients and the exact dosage instructions for the baker.

Although the brand name Koopmans’ still bears elegant 19th-century lettering, for 'BANKET BAKKERS POEDER' a bold, geometric typeface was chosen. Together with the three horizontal lines on the side—the so-called 'Speed Lines' from the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles—this can radiated efficiency and progress. There was a deliberate choice of a warm, high-contrast color palette of yellow, deep green (referring to the Frisian countryside) and artisanal brown (the color of grain and ovens) rather than stark black. Because there was severe material scarcity for this type of multicolor printing during and shortly after World War II, the design can be dated more precisely to the late pre-war years: 1935–1940.

Despite authentic rust and dents, this sturdy everyday object from a vanished bakery world has survived in wonderful condition. It is amazing that a can of such substantial (antique) age and the fragile wartime period, and the robust factory-to-store transport, has endured. In fact, a remarkably well-preserved example of Dutch industrial design from the late 1930s. On the global web, there is no second example, not even a photograph, to be found. When you purchase, you are likely buying something you will never see elsewhere again.

Dimensions:
Diameter 28 cm
Lid height 2.5 cm
Total height 26 cm
Weight 825 grams

The can is a very striking object to look at; in a living room, kitchen, shop window, or restaurant it will be a focal point. Everything has been photographed in detail. If you are interested, please study the photos carefully. The photos are part of the description. I will ensure careful packaging and insured shipping.