Display or storage tin for groceries, Van Nelle tin for coffee or tea.
Origin: Netherlands, Rotterdam.
Material: sheet steel, tin. The tin is in reasonable condition. You must be able to embrace the weathered appearance and vintage condition, being at least 75 years old. The tin has had a life. Rusted spots, a tear in the rim, and a dent and a nick here and there. A bit of sun discoloration. In the photo, the yellow appears quite bright; it is an ochre-like yellow. Blue lettering and white and red are the other colors. Photos were taken of all sides and the inside. Please examine the photos carefully; they are part of the description.
This type of tin was used as a shop tin, or for storage in the store. It was designed to stand in the grocery store, from which loose coffee and tea were sold to customers. The large dimensions and sturdy design indicate that it was intended to hold a substantial amount of product and to allow the tin to be opened repeatedly for the sale of the product. The clear, painted text also served as an advertising tool on the counter or in the store shelves.
At that time, coffee was often transported in bulk (for example, in jute sacks) from the plantation to the roastery. After roasting, it was distributed to the shops in larger packages, after which it was stored in these types of tins until it was given to the customer in smaller quantities in paper cones.
The iconic Van Nelle factory stood (and still stands) in Rotterdam, on the Delfshavensche Schie. The factory is an example of the New Building (modernism) and was completed in 1931; it was designed by the architectural firm Brinkman and van der Vlugt and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014.
Based on the external characteristics and the design of the tin, a dating of 1930–1950 seems correct. The tin is a Dutch design by Jacob Jongert, who headed the advertising department of Van Nelle from 1923 to 1940 and is responsible for this distinctive, recognizable house style. He likely ceased his work due to the German occupation, the changed economic situation, and rationing during the war. Extensive advertising campaigns for luxury goods such as coffee and tea declined sharply. What you see on this predominantly yellow tin are various images: branches with leaves, blossoms, and beans. There is also a coffee pot and a teapot, which have a different appearance. They are both depicted on one of the sides of the tin and together on the top, while a steaming cup of coffee adorns the front and back. Jongert was a highly versatile artist, but also a mentor and teacher (head lecturer) at the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts. The emblem of the People's University of Rotterdam is also his work. This tin has the following dimensions:
Height: 37.5 cm
Width: 41 cm
Depth: 28.5 cm
Weight: 2.6 kg
The tin will be carefully packed and shipped to you.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsMulti Color, YellowMaterialOther, Stainless steel, IronNumber of items1Height41 cmWidth37 cmDepth28 cmSigns of usageStains, Dents, Discoloring, Rust, Crack, Scratches