Verwersdijk - Delft

At the Verwersdijk, the fabrics that had been treated in the Voldersgracht were further processed. After the fabrics had been stretched and pressed there, they were transported to the Verwersdijk, where they were dyed and folded. Here, the cloths received their final lead seal, an important mark of quality featuring the coat of arms of Delft. This seal was used from the 13th to the 18th century and indicated the quality of the fabrics. The lead tags not only showed the length and colour of the fabrics, but also referred to their quality. Cloths of top quality were marked with large seals, while fabrics of lesser quality received smaller ones.

During this period, Delft played an important role in the cloth trade. The final lead seal was found all over the Netherlands, even in cities like Amsterdam, showing Delft’s influence in the textile industry. The process at the Verwersdijk was therefore not only essential for the finishing of the fabrics, but also for guaranteeing their quality and enabling the trade of these products over long distances.