Terrariums : A Guide to Plants and Care
of burying people in coffins shaped like everything from lobsters to busty women is primarily practiced in Accra and has spawned over 10 workshops in the capital city . Almost all of these are owned by former apprentices of Kane Kwei , who died in 1992 .
Today , six apprentices work at the original workshop alongside Kane Kwei ’ s son Cedi Anang and grandson Eric Adjetey Anang . The shop produces up to 20 coffins each month . Each year , Kane Kwei ships up to 100 coffins to Ghanaians living abroad , as well as art lovers everywhere from Denmark to Russia .
The coffins intended for burial are made from a soft wood and cost about $ 700 . The ones considered works of art and bound for homes and galleries , are made from mahogany . Those can sell for as much as $ 3,000 . In 2014 , a coffin in the shape of a Porsche made by Kane Kwei ’ s nephew and former assistant Paa Joe set a record for abebuu adekai at London auction house Bonhams when it sold for $ 9,200 .
“ When I started working , people used to call me a coffin maker or a carpenter ,” says Anang . “ Over the years , I ’ ve become more actively engaged in the design process from start to finish . I think that ’ s what really helped me transcend just being a carpenter to being a true artist with a vision .”
Despite recent success , the original workshop is under threat . With land prices in the city going up the
The workshop . Steven ( right ), an apprentice , Cedi ( left ). In the background various coffins are taking shape , including one shaped like a book . Photo : Theophilus
Mensah
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