The inaugural exhibition “Yixing Purple Clay” in 1984 and other promotional activities organised by the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware have revived the Yixing purple clay craft very quickly. There was only one purple clay craft factory with less than 400 potters when Dr K.S. Lo visited in 1979. By 1994, the number of factory has grown to more than 20. Together, they employed over 1,000 artisans.

When the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1994, Dr Lo suggested another exhibition of works by contemporary Yixing purple clay potters. To understand the whole process of purple clay teapots, Dr Lo spent three days at the Yixing craft factory again. And once again, more than 30 contemporary Yixing potters were invited to create a collection for an exhibition. Dr Lo’s order this time required every potter to inscribe his signature for every piece of work, so as to revive the tradition of literati, calligraphers, engravers and potters working together to create teapots since the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Teapot inscription first appeared in the Ming dynasty and became a fashion in the Qing dynasty. This practice was once banned during the Cultural Revolution. Now, with support from Dr Lo, it was rekindled.

The artistic tradition of the Chinese literati also aroused Dr Lo’s great interest in seal carving. His important collector’s items include seal carving by Chen Sui of the Ming dynasty, Eight Xiling Masters of the Qing dynasty and Qi Bai-shi of modern China; as well as works by modern seal-makers of Guangdong and Hong Kong. The comprehensive collection has preserved the essence of Chinese seal carving art. Indeed, the rendezvous of purple clay ware and seal carving is a continued episode of an encounter with art.

Travelling frequently between the mainland and Hong Kong for his beloved art of purple clay, Dr Lo departed in 1995 after coming down with a bad cold. Most regrettably, he did not live to see the grand opening of the K.S. Lo Gallery. However, his great passion for Chinese culture, his unselfish commitment in promoting the tea culture and his enthusiasm in appreciating tea ware will always be remembered in the cultural circle of Hong Kong.