This dissertation is the result of a combination of economic and social historical research into the context wherein the Amsterdam and Haarlem silk industry functioned, together with art-historical research into weaving techniques and design issues. It has shown that the establishment of a silk industry in Amsterdam and Haarlem was a success. Amsterdam took the lead and Haarlem followed. After the middle of the seventeenth century both cities played their role within the European silk industries, next to France and England. The nature and dimensions of this role may be conjectured, but cannot be decided upon with certainty yet. Too many questions still need further research