Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Leather Bow Guard 1970s Bow Band Cuff Bracelet.

This genuine Navajo bow guard (Ketoh) makes such a stunning bold bracelet!

A bowguard or Ketoh (pronounced "gato") was originally created by the Navajo as a form of wrist protection when hunting. The ketoh kept a bow string from hitting against the wrist when an arrow was shot from the bow.

This one dates around 1940 according the original owner.

It has a lovely natural turquoise stone, repousse, and stamping on a silver plate that is attached to a dark leather band. It is, of course, unsigned, almost all of them are.

The dimensions are 9" circumference 2" Tall  (around all the leather on the band) and the stone is 1/2"H x 1/4"W. When worn, there is no opening, it simply ties in the back with leather straps.