Navajo Ketoh

ca 1960-1970

3.875" x 2.75" with center oval turquoise setting 1.125 x .75"

Leather is 4" x 9"

A Ketoh or bow guard is a heavy wrist band to protect the inner portion of the lower arm of an archer from the snap of the bow string. Originally they were plain thick leather straps. Once silvermsithing became a part of Navajo life, ketohs began to be decorated with silver and stones, usually turquoise. Ketohs were made by and for Native Americans, not the market. Now there is no practical use for these wrist guards but they are worn on special occasions by both men and women.