Grayson Perry's Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman - in pictures

Grayson Perry long cherished an ambition to show his own art – his own 'civilisation', as he calls it – alongside the great civilisations of the world, but little dreamed the British Museum would agree to his proposal
Photograph: Pal Hansen

After a protracted decision-making period, the British Museum agreed and gave Perry access to some of the eight million objects housed in the museum Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

Perry picked out objects that resonated with his own artistic preoccupations, such as these votive figures of the ancient Egyptian god Amon-Ra Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

Some choices were more problematic than others. 'I had to write a letter justifying my inclusion of an earring with the ear still attached,' says Perry. 'Human remains are a sensitive issue' Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

Not all of his selections were drawn from antiquity: he also chose a badge from the Aldermaston march in 1961, a bear-cub mascot from the 1980 Moscow Olympics and this Stonehenge badge from 1983 Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

More of the badges Perry has chosen to put on show. They date from 1913 to 2001 Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry was involved in all aspects of the enterprise, including design, marketing, special events and even visually impaired access. This is a headscarf he designed for the gift shop entitled 'Friendly Giant' Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

A detail from the tapestry 'Map of Truths and Beliefs' Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

A detail from one of Perry's cloths Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

A china boat designed by Perry Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

Perry at the British Museum standing alongside – and wearing – some of his artworks. "I think of my robes as partly the uniform of an ancient craftsman's guild and partly the ritual garment of a shamanic encounter from the contemporary art tribe" Photograph: Courtesy of Grayson Perry

A Boli figure or power figure from Bamana, Mali, one of the works picked by Perry
Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

A 1990s Mexican figurine from Metepec chosen for inclusion by Perry
Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry with his work A Walk in Bloomsbury, 2010
Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry's Coffin Containing Artist's Ponytail, 1985
Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry's Grumpy Old God, 2010 Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry's Head of a Fallen Giant, 2008
Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardia

Perry's Hold Your Beliefs Lightly, 2011 Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry talks about his work The Frivolous Now, 2011 Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry's The Rosetta Vase, 2011
Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian

Perry's You Are Here, 2011 Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Guardian