traditionally, cochineal was used for colouring fabrics. during the colonial period, with the introduction of sheep to latin america, the use of cochineal increased, as it provided the most intense colour and it set more firmly on woolen garments than on clothes made of materials of pre-hispanic origin such as cotton or agave and yucca fibers. in general, cochineal is more successful on protein-based animal fibres (including silk) than plant-based material. once the european market discovered the qualities of this product, the demand for it increased dramatically. by the beginning of the 17th century, it was traded internationally. carmine became strong competition for other colourants such as madder root, kermes, polish cochineal, armenian cochineal, brazilwood, and tyrian purple, as they were used for dyeing the clothes of kings, nobles, and the clergy. for the past several centuries, it was the most important insect dye used in the production of hand-woven oriental rugs, almost completely displacing lac. it was also used for painting, handicrafts, and tapestries. cochineal-coloured wool and cotton are important materials for mexican folk art and crafts.