The Bowguard was a device worn by Native men on their wrists to protect against the recoil snap of a bowstring. Nowadays, a bowguard is a form of adornment, and a highly collectible piece of antique Indian jewelry. Smiths fashioned bowguards from a rectangular pice of metal tied to a thick leather strap. Designs often favored an X-shape, could be stamped and/or set with stones.

Fact: This is one of the few items used for a combined utilitarian and ornamental purpose that has escaped commercialism.