Verkade Honey Breakfast Cake Tin – Functional Heritage from the Dutch Dining Room

SOLD
Sold items often remain on the site as an information source. We regularly have similar items in stock. Check out our current collection for a comparable product or use the search function.

Verkade Honey Breakfast Cake Tin – Functional Heritage from the Dutch Dining Room

• Manufacturer / Client: Verkade, Zaandam
• Production Period: 1945 – 1960

Product Description:
Between 1945 and 1960, Verkade of Zaandam released this rectangular tin as packaging for its honey breakfast cake. Designed with durability and practicality in mind, the tin features rounded corners, a hinged lid with overlapping flaps, and a rolled rim profile—all contributing to added strength and ease of use. Ventilation holes on both short sides allowed the cake to breathe, helping to preserve its texture—a detail that highlights the product’s functional design.

The exterior is printed with a light-yellow honeycomb pattern, accented by stylized floral garlands and decorative nasturtium motifs in red and green. The product name, “HONINGONTBIJTKOEK” (Honey Breakfast Cake), is boldly displayed on the lid, while the brand name “Verkade / ZAANDAM” is embossed on the bottom—clearly referencing the product’s origin and brand identity.

Dimensions:

• Height: 9.5 cm
• Length: 28.5 cm
• Width: 10.5 cm

Condition:
This tin is in good vintage condition. It shows visible signs of age and use, consistent with its history. The photographs provide an accurate impression of its current state.

About Verkade:
Founded in 1886, Verkade has been a key player in the Dutch food industry from the very beginning. Originally operating under the name “De Ruyter” as a steam-powered bread and rusk factory, the company expanded its product range over the decades to include breakfast cakes, biscuits, and later chocolate—achieving national recognition. The embossed logo on the underside of this tin is a subtle nod to the company’s origins.

Special Decorative Feature:
The nasturtium on this tin is not just ornamental, but also symbolic. The plant—whose leaves and flowers are edible—was chosen for its distinctive, shield-shaped foliage. Its botanical name, Tropaeolum majus, refers to the Roman "tropaeum," a trophy or symbol of victory.

Conclusion:
This Verkade tin combines functional design with historical significance. Originally intended for everyday use, it has since become a collectible object. It reflects not only an era of thoughtful product presentation but also a tangible piece of Dutch culinary and visual history.

© Copyright Retro & Design. All rights reserved. Text and images may not be reproduced without permission