From plant-based burgers to cruelty-free leather, the world is slowly embracing veganism. Sustainability, animal welfare, and conscious consumption are shaping the way we eat, shop, and live. This shift isn’t limited to food or fashion anymore; it’s finding its way into home décor and luxury dining, too, changing what we serve on our tables.
The allure of bone china and its cruelty equation
Bone china was developed in England in the late 18th century Shutterstock
Bone china was first developed in England in the late 18th century by Josiah Spode, who perfected the formula around 1794, using bone ash, feldspathic material, and kaolin.
Bone china came to India during the British colonial period, mainly in the 19th century, when British officials and royalty brought it with them. It became a status symbol among Indian elites and princely states, who began using imported bone china for formal dining and banquets.
The East India Company’s trade networks made it accessible, and by the late 1800s, it was considered a mark of sophistication in colonial households. Post-Independence, Indian ceramic brands like Bharat Potteries and Clay Craft started producing bone china domestically, making it more widely available.
For centuries, bone china has been synonymous with tableware elegance. But traditional bone china is made with animal bone ash, and with the world moving towards ethical living, many are now questioning whether this timeless luxury still aligns with their values.
What is vegan bone china?
Instead of animal bone ash, vegan bone china is made using natural mineral powders Shutterstock
Vegan bone china is a modern, cruelty-free alternative to traditional bone china. Instead of animal bone ash, it is made using natural mineral powders such as calcium phosphate and feldspar, combined with kaolin clay. This blend is fired at very high temperatures to achieve the same translucence, strength, and milky-white finish that makes bone china famous.
How is it different from porcelain and ceramics?
Porcelain has a smooth and glass-like finish but less warmth and translucence than bone china Shutterstock
Porcelain, by comparison, is made purely from kaolin clay and other minerals, giving it a smooth and glass-like finish but less warmth and translucence than bone china. Ceramic is an even broader category that includes earthenware and stoneware and is usually thicker, heavier, and less luminous, thus making vegan bone china the most conscious and refined choice for elegant dining.
Vegan bone china’s growing popularity
Eco-conscious homeware brands in Europe, the UAE, and Australia are seeing rising demand from millennials and Gen Z consumers Shutterstock
The trend has already caught on internationally, with luxury ceramic houses like Royal Doulton and Noritake experimenting with bone-ash-free collections. Eco-conscious homeware brands in Europe, the UAE, and Australia are seeing rising demand from millennials and Gen Z consumers who value sustainability as much as design. “If we are moving towards vegan food, why shouldn’t we also go for vegan tableware? The idea is to replace all things that involve animal cruelty,” said Kolkata student Abantika Das, an advocate for veganism.
Vegan bone china in Kolkata
Vegan bone china tableware from Studio Earth
Vegan bone china is still a relatively new concept in Kolkata, but awareness is slowly catching on as more hosts look for sustainable and cruelty-free options for their dining tables. Leading this shift is Studio Earth, founded by Lata Kedia in 2023. Crafted in the UAE, the brand’s tableware combines maximalist design with sustainability, offering pieces that are as beautiful as they are ethical.
“With our vegan bone china, Studio Earth is shaping a new standard for mindful luxury, offering the same elegance and strength of classic bone china, but made with minerals. It’s a choice for those who believe beauty should never come at the cost of ethics.” said Kedia
How the prices compare
Vegan bone china is priced at a premium, much like its traditional counterpart, but it is a guilt-free luxury. While mass-market porcelain or ceramic tableware may come cheaper, vegan bone china offers the same refinement as traditional bone china without harming animals, making it a preferred choice for conscious hosts and collectors.
