Navajo Stamped Silver Ketoh with Repousse and Three Green Turquoise Cabochons, c.1930

Item: AOJ5150
Material: silver, turquoise and leather
Size: 6" adjustable cuff + 3 1/2" length
Period: Historic
Origin: Navajo

This is an early 20th century Navajo ketoh comprised of a rectangular shaped silver plate fastened to a thick genuine leather band. The silver plate is decorated with three oval shaped cabochons of natural turquoise set in flat silver bezels stacked at center with a large repoussé lozenge extending toward each corner and repoussé in a fanned motif on either side. The plate is further adorned with a border of repeating chiseled crescents along the outer edge. Ketohs, or bow guards, were originally leather straps worn by Navajo archers to protect their forearms from the snap of the bowstring when shooting an arrow, but later evolved into a purely decorative form of jewelry.

SOLD