Bart van der Leck packaging box Metz & Co Netherlands 1935

This exceptional packaging box, designed by Bart van der Leck in 1935 for the luxury department store Metz & Co, is a striking example of how art and functional design were elegantly merged. Intended for use as gift boxes in Metz & Co’s Amsterdam and The Hague stores, these boxes served both as sophisticated packaging and as collectible pieces in their own right. They were produced from 1935 until 1952, showcasing Van der Leck’s characteristic abstract style with bold shapes and colors on the box’s surface. This particular example remains in good, original condition, with subtle signs of age and use, adding a layer of authenticity and charm. Today, the box itself can be displayed as an art piece, capturing the essence of Van der Leck’s work.

Bart Anthony van der Leck (1876–1958) was a pioneering Dutch artist and designer, known for co-founding the De Stijl movement alongside Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. Though he is closely associated with De Stijl, Van der Leck departed from the group in 1918 due to creative differences. He disagreed with the movement’s principles, particularly its strict emphasis on the diagonal and uniform color placement. While his colleagues pursued complete abstraction, Van der Leck preferred a more personal, restrained approach to form and color. His artistic independence created tension within De Stijl, especially between him and Van Doesburg, leading Van der Leck to formally break ties with the group. Despite this, his work, defined by geometric forms and primary colors, remains central to the De Stijl aesthetic.

Metz & Co, founded in Amsterdam in 1740, was a luxury department store celebrated for its forward-thinking approach to retail and design. Throughout the 20th century, it attracted a distinguished clientele by partnering with influential artists and designers, including Van der Leck, Gerrit Rietveld, and Le Corbusier. Housed in a building designed by H.P. Berlage, Metz & Co became an iconic destination for lovers of modern art and design, with an airy rooftop café offering panoramic views of Amsterdam. This unique fusion of commerce and culture cemented Metz & Co’s place in history as a champion of avant-garde design until its closure in 2013.