In archaeological research of buildings brickwork can be used for relative dating. As a rule of thumb, one can say that the bigger the bricks are, the older the construction. In Leiden, bricks got smaller quite quickly in comparison to other Dutch cities. By the first quarter of the 15th century, the length of the bricks was downsized to circa 20 cm. By the time Rembrandt was born, a standard modular-sized brick format was used that measured circa 19 x 9 x 4,5 cm.
Also the masonry bond changed over time. Around 1600, a cross bond was used. This is a masonry bond in which a layer of headers is alternated with a layer of stretchers, and in which the center of the header is lined up with the center of the stretcher and in every fourth layer with the head joint. This leads to crosses in the brickwork. While on the reveals both quarter closers and three-quarter closures or used, on the corners of the facades, most often quarter closures Towards the end of the brick layers a mix of a quarter and three-quarter closures are used to finish the bricklayer.
Source: Orsel, E., 2007. , Bodemonderzoek in Leiden 20, Rijswijkers in Leiden, Leiden.
Left: brickwork in cross bond. | Right: ending of brickwork with quarter closures in green and three quarter closures in blue