Ketoh, Stamped, Turquoise, Jesse Robbins, Vintage, 4066

A KETOH KEEPSAKE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

Originally worn to protect a warrior's wrist from the snap of a bowstring, the traditional ketoh or bow guard gets handsomely reinvented into a gorgeous piece that can be worn for any occasion. The wide leather cuff is adorned with an intricately ornate stamped Ingot silver shield centered by a carved turquoise frog, eight smaller round matching turquoise stones, and is embellished with repoussé accents. On whether side of the shield are five fluted beads, and completing the whole piece are the rawhide ties that keep it in place. Crafted by Jesse Robbins, this Ketoh will be passed on for generations to come.

Jesse was born and raised in Prescott, Arizona, and has been traveling and experiencing the American Southwest ever since. He was introduced to Native American jewelry through his mother at an early age. Through these unique surroundings, the seed was planted for future work to come. Early on, much of Jesse’s time with art was spent playing in the mud as he learned to create his first fine art through ceramics. In college, Jesse found a new love in archaeology. He studied at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Archaeology would take Jesse to every corner of the Southwest, eventually leading him back home to Prescott.

While in Prescott, a chance meeting with Randy “Bubba” Shackelford, a local silversmith, would forever change Jesse’s path. Under Bubba’s tutelage, working at Falcon Trading Company, Jesse was immersed in the traditional techniques of tufa cast and hand wrought silver work.

Today, Jesse continues to work as an archaeologist, traveling the west with his eyes and heart. These forces always pull him back to the white metal and blue stones he has come to love. In his time off, Jesse follows his passion of manipulating silver and cutting stones. When possible, he finds his way back to Prescott, where he and Bubba continue to collaborate together.

• artist: Jesse Robbins
• affiliation: Muscogee Creek, 20th/21st century
• hallamrks: JR
• materials: ingot silver, turquoise, leather
• measurements: 3 3/4" x 8 3/4" leather, 3 3/8" x 2 3/8" concho plate
  
• weight: 123 grams
• rawhide ties
• nice vintage condition
• stones are secure in their settings
• abrasions and surface wear commensurate with age
  
• silver has a nice patina
• wear from ethnographic use
  
• style: JB4066