A prized Ming vase is going on display in Scotland on the first stop of a UK tour.

The blue and white porcelain dating from the early 15th century will join Glasgow's Burrell Collection on loan from the British Museum.

At just over 50cm tall, the lotus-decorated vase is the largest Ming imperial porcelain of its kind held by the museum.

It will go on show at the Pollok Park attraction from tomorrow until July 6 after rules were relaxed to allow loaned items to be displayed next to items in the renowned collection of the shipping magnate William Burrell.

The vase will later be exhibited in Sheffield, Bristol and Basingstoke on a BP-sponsored tour.

Sir Angus Grossart, who chairs the group that oversees the Burrell Collection, said: "The loan of this wonderful Ming vase will strongly encourage us to revisit and better understand the high quality of the Chinese items within the Burrell Collection.

"These provide a clear recognition of how Burrell developed from his early interest, and as he grew in knowledge and confidence to become the great scholar with a wonderful discriminating eye."

The collection of Chinese objects on display in Glasgow is regarded as one of the finest in Europe.

The vase will be shown alongside three large Ming bowls used at the imperial court in Beijing.

In January, the Scottish Parliament backed a Bill to allow objects from the Burrell Collection to be toured internationally and for other objects to appear on loan.

Councillor Archie Graham, chairman of Glasgow Life, said: "We have enjoyed a very strong partnership with the British Museum in recent years and we're delighted that the Burrell Collection is the first stop on this UK tour.

"I have no doubt that this stunning Ming vase will delight new and existing audiences alike and I very much hope it leads to increasing interest and understanding of Sir William's remarkable collection of Chinese ceramics and objects."

Yu-Ping Luk, project curator at the British Museum, said: "The imperial Ming vase on tour donated by Sir John Addis is a treasure from the British Museum, and it will be a highlight display alongside the Burrell's own impressive Chinese collections.

"This will mark the first event in our lead-up to the major BP exhibition Ming: 50 years that changed China, opening in September this year."