Lobi Beer Fermentation Vessel

A pot that bristles, and every spike is deliberate.

Lobi potters of Burkina Faso, West Africa, made this beer fermentation vessel in terra cotta in the 20th century. Millet beer is a staple of social life across the region, and large clay vessels are commonly used to brew it. The rounded body and its lid are covered in rows of sharp conical studs, ending in a small knob at the top and a short, narrow foot. The clay is dark brown-grey and matte, with a soft, smoky depth.

About 14 inches tall. Admire from a safe distance, fingers included.