Old Pawn Native American Ketohs

What is a ketoh (Bow Guard)? Even fans of antique Native American jewelry may not be familiar with them. A ketoh is the Navajo word for bow guard which is a protective wrap for the forearm, designed to protect an archer from the recoil of a bowstring after an arrow is released. Navajo ketohs are comprised of a leather protective band decorated with silver embellishments. While ketohs started as functional items they grew into items worn simply for personal adornment. Old Pawn ketohs may be made with sand-cast (or tufa cast) silver or hand-stamped by pounding the silver into dies. Many versions include inset turquoise.