The world's greatest carpenters who has been making coffins the shape of fish, birds... and even aeroplanes

Sleeping with the fishes..... Sculptor Paa Joe's coffin designs are inspired by village life in his native Ghana- as shown by gallery owner Jack Bell 

It is believed the coffin tradition originated in Teshi, a fishing community on the outskirts of Ghana's capital, Accra, where a fisherman would be buried in a fish coffin, inspired by the hulls of boats.
The colourful and intricate caskets are worth thousands of pounds and come in various shapes and sizes.

Sweet dreams....... Gallery owner Jack Bell checks out the interior of the cocoa pod coffin

On a wing and a prayer.... An eagle casket is a popular design among Paa Joe's clients
Jack Bell said: 'The works are all iconic symbols of local life. The golden African eagle, fish, Air Ghana jet and Cocoa pod are testament to the vibrancy of West African culture.
'These works blur the line between art and craft. They are not dead things but are instead a manifestation and affirmation of life.' 

They value coffins as a status symbol and a spiritual way of remembering the deceased's job or personality.
Paa Joe designed one casket in the shape of a plane for a 91-year-old grandmother who often dreamed of flying, even though she had never boarded an aircraft

Sculptor Paa Joe's work can fetch as much as £6,500

They are made in Ghana, where a tradition of elaborate coffins is especially strong among the south-eastern Ga people.
Families commission the coffins to represent the achievements or personality of the dead and designs include Bibles and cameras. Collectors buy them for up to £6,500.
Sometimes the deceased will have prepared a design brief during their lifetime. Coffins are made of wood and then painted.
A coffin in the form of an African eagle with painted gold feather markings is generally made for chiefs and is lined with silk and red textiles.
The deceased's body is washed, dressed, adorned and laid out with the coffin open during the wake. The coffin is then closed and carried to the burial ground.
Paa is currently showing some of his work at the Jack Bell Gallery, in London, until January 15.