Explore clay containers made by Indigenous peoples 500 years ago and then make your own vessel using salt dough.
The clay containers below were made by ancient Indigenous peoples in present-day Missouri and Arkansas. Artists used various clay techniques to create them. Use the downloadable resource guide or the information below to create your own vessel using salt dough.
Caddo artist; Vessel with Incised Motifs, c.1200–1500; ceramic; 6 1/2 x 7 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joe L. Kinker 38:2009
Spouted Vessel with Painted Motifs, c.1500–1700; Quapaw, Phillips County, Arkansas; ceramic with pigment; 10 1/2 x 11 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Director's Discretionary Fund 65:2005
Mississippian artist; Vessel with Incised Motifs, c.1400–1600; ceramic; 7 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Director's Discretionary Fund and funds given by donors to the Art Enrichment Fund 3:2009
Salt Dough Vessels
Make your own vessel with materials found at home. Gather materials such as those listed below to get started.
Suggested materials
For the salt dough: flour, salt, water and a container, and a spoon for mixing
Small piece of cardboard to use as a display surface, plastic knife, fork, cap of a pen or marker, and blunt pencil
Homemade salt dough recipe
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water, or more as needed
1/4 cup salt
Food coloring (optional)
Instructions for making your own salt dough vessel
Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the water to the dry mixture a few tablespoons at a time.
If you’d like to have colored dough, add a few drops of food coloring.
Mix and knead the dough after each addition of water and food coloring. Knead the dough with your hands for about five to seven minutes until you have the right consistency. If the dough cracks or crumbles when you are kneading or shaping it, it is probably too dry. You can add a few more drops of water until you have the right consistency.
Divide the salt dough into two halves. Take one half and roll it into a ball. Using one of your thumbs, press down on the center of the ball of dough, creating an indentation. Next put both thumbs into the indentation and gently pinch or press the sides as you are turning the ball of dough in your hands or on the surface of a table.
Flatten the bottom of the vessel by gently tapping it on the table or work surface. This will create an even, sturdy base or bottom and keep it from rolling around.
Now use the other half of your salt dough to add decorative elements such as handles or other shapes. Let your vessel air dry overnight. Once the dough is dry, you may choose to color your vessel using markers or acrylic paint.
For the vessels in the photograph, we first made yellow salt dough. Then we added red food coloring to half of the dough to make orange and used the orange dough for the decorative elements.
