The maquette is the fifth Iranian object to enter the Burrell Collection. Courtesy the Burrell Collection

Glasgow’s Burrel Collection proudly unveiled a new acquisition this week.

The piece, a 12th century Persian maquette, was unveiled on 21 March, at the world famous collection based in Pollock Country Park, Glasgow.

Mark O’Neill, Head of Museums and Arts at Glasgow City Council and Frances Fawle, Trustee of the Burrell Collection, were there to host the event.

Noorah al-Gailani, curator of Islamic civilizations at Glasgow City Council, helped the Burrell Collection and its Trustees make the acquisition.

Ms al-Gailani said: “It is quite a rare object, and tiny. There are only a small group of them in the world. We already have four Iranian objects in our collection, so in a sense this maquette completes it.”

Detail view. Courtesy the Burrell Collection

The unusual ceramic model is part of a small group of house models renowned for their depiction of courtyard celebrations, and shows six musicians playing a variety of instruments to two seated figures.

The intricate design also has bands of description lining the outer walls of the courtyard, along with a fountain and columns, crowned by a balustrade.

According to Islamic scholars, the model was used for wedding ceremonies and celebrating the Persian New Year and spring equinox, Nou Rouz.

The festival, which falls on March 21, originates from Iran and the Kurdistan region. Music and musicians are an important part of the event, celebrated in Scotland by the Muslim Iranian and Kurdish communities.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “We are delighted to welcome this piece to the Burrell Collection, a significant addition to our Islamic collection.”

“There have only been around twenty acquisitions to the collection since Sir William Burrell died, and we are sure that the maquette will prove to be of great interest to visitors.”