The art of Ghana's bespoke coffins

Fishers Of Men The Ga people, from the south-east coast of Ghana revere their ancestors and give great importance to funeral celebrations. Their tradition of creating beautifully carved figurative coffins originated in the 1950s, allegedly in Teshie, a fishing community in Accra Photograph: PR The Discerning Businessman Families commission the coffins - sometimes to a brief designed by the deceased - to represent the dreams or achievements of a deceased relative, or to characterise their personality such as a car for a businessman, a Cocoa pod for a farmer, a bible, or even a camera. The coffins function as status symbols and communities often pool cash to help fund them Photograph: PR Paa Joe's sculpted coffins, like this cocoa pod, have established him as the foremost sculpted coffin maker of his generation. His work is held in museum collections around the world, including the British Museum in London Photograph: PR Soul, Fly As A Bird The earliest example was made in 1951 by two carpenters, Kane Quaye and his brother Ajetey, who made a coffin in the form of an airplane to bury their grandmother. This new style went down a storm and Quaye developed it further with his apprentice Paa Joe Photograph: PR Fit For A King Taking the form of an African eagle with painted gold feather markings, and lined with silk and red textiles, this coffin is generally allocated to chiefs. The deceased’s body is washed, dressed, adorned and laid out with the coffin open during the wake. A very regal send off. See the coffins at the Jack Bell Gallery, London SW1, 25 Nov to 15 Jan Photograph: PR