The porcelains marked with the characters Dayazhai was made for the personal use of the powerful Empress Dowager, Cixi (1835-1908). Of significance is an important sub-category of Dayazhai wares which is connected to Cixi's 60th birthday in 1894. Among the decorative characteristics of this group are the inscriptions Dayazhai and Tian di yi jia chun, and the composition of flowers and insects in grisaille against a yellow ground.

Dayazhai porcelain is known for its vibrant designs, which often depict natural scenes such as flowers, birds, and insects. These motifs were reflective of the Empress Dowager’s fondness for nature, and the porcelain pieces were richly adorned with peonies, wisteria, and other floral elements.