03-22-2014, 12:33 AM
The cochineal (Dactyclopius coccus) came with the Spaniards from the New World to Europe where it replaced the Kermes (Kermes vermilio) as a dye because it was richer in content.
Both contain several anthraquinone dyes: cochineal contains carminic, kermesic and flavokermesic (laccaic) acid, kermes only kermesic and flavokermesic acid.
The results look pretty much the same, however.
Since kermes is almost impossible to obtain nowadays, cochineal is normally used to reproduce kermes dyed textiles. I think only one of the Hochdorf-textiles was reproduced with real kermes. It actually took ages to collect enough of the stuff.
Armenian cochineal on Roman textiles– I didn’t know this- very interesting!
Both contain several anthraquinone dyes: cochineal contains carminic, kermesic and flavokermesic (laccaic) acid, kermes only kermesic and flavokermesic acid.
The results look pretty much the same, however.
Since kermes is almost impossible to obtain nowadays, cochineal is normally used to reproduce kermes dyed textiles. I think only one of the Hochdorf-textiles was reproduced with real kermes. It actually took ages to collect enough of the stuff.
Armenian cochineal on Roman textiles– I didn’t know this- very interesting!
Andreas Strassmeir
