18th Century Cochineal
On Cochineal Worms in the Eighteenth Century
In the eighteenth century, Western trade flourished, and foreign objects came in one after another. During this period, cochineal worms were dominant and occupied a prominent position in all kinds of trade.
Cochineal worms are native to foreign lands, and they like warmth and dampness. They live on parasitic shrubs. At first, people in Middle-earth rarely knew about this thing. Later, it was sold through Western Jiake and flowed into China. Its shape is like a millet, and its color is red. Although its body is small, its color is extremely bright, and it is the top grade of dyeing.
At that time, the textile printing and dyeing industry was at its peak, and the demand for pigments was booming. The color of the cochineal insect is bright and long-lasting, and it does not fade out over the years. The dyed fabric shines with splendor, and is highly respected among the officials and dignitaries. Therefore, merchants flocked to it, willing to spend a lot of money to buy it, so that its price was high, equivalent to pearl jade.
The islands of the South Ocean and the countries of the West are rich in cochineal insects. Ships shuttle, sails cover the sun, and merchant ships full of cochineal insects travel to and from the ocean, transporting this thing to all directions. Its trade is wide, reaching Fuso in the east, Europa in the west, Tianzhu in the south, and Luosha in the north. The place it passes through has flourished in dyeing workshops because of it, and the color of fabrics has taken on a new look.
And the use of cochineal insects is not limited to textiles. Court painters also used it to color, painting Dan Qing, with bright colors and full of charm; women in boudoir, take makeup, apply it to the face, between the lips and cheeks, the blush is moving, and the makeup is more delicate.
The cochineal worm of the 18th century, like a ray of extraordinary color, left a strong imprint in the fields of trade, craftsmanship, and beauty, which had a profound impact on the fashion, customs, and economic exchanges at that time, adding many beautiful colors to the world.
