Item description for 8" Fritson Toledo Navajo for Les Baker (1935-2014) Sterling Overlay and stamped

8" Fritson Toledo Navajo for Les Baker (1935-2014) Sterling Overlay and stamped bangle. 8" inside circumference, 1.25" wide. Fritson Toledo has been metalsmithing for over forty years. Fritson is a Navajo artist who has been working as a serious silversmith since he was a teenager. New Mexico in September of 1961 to Mae and Chee Toledo, Fritson grew up in Torreon, NM. Growing up in a farming community located in a valley framed by the Jemez Mountains, he passed his time drawing. Although he comes from a family of weavers, Fritson found his artistic voice at a very early age while observing his father working in their home as a silversmith. Fritson then taught himself the art of jewelry-making using his father’s tools on the pieces of scrap silver he left behind. Fritson eventually learned how to make his own tools and stamps for silversmithing. He has clearly become a jewelry master using only the highest quality stones. Les Baker (1935-2014), southwest artist from New Mexico, was born in 1935. Les learned to silversmith in 1962 when his wife at the time wanted a squash blossom necklace. Les could not afford to buy one for her so he went out and bought the tools to do so. At a Christmas party, Mrs. Maisel asked where she got the necklace and his told her that her husband made it. From there upon request from Mrs. Maisel, Les went to work for the Maisels. Les has also worked for Carl Louthy, Navajo. Over the years, he has had many silversmiths that have worked for him such as Fritson Toledo, Johnny Watson and Harry Sandoval. All precious metals are tested and guaranteed, any Native American jewelry referred to as Silver or Sterling is guaranteed to be a minimum of 90% (coin) silver and possibly higher content. Anything marked is guaranteed to be what it's marked, most bracelets are photographed on a 6" wrist (non hairy), rings photographed on the appropriate sized finger when possible. With bracelets if the measurement is not given in the description then inside circumference is shown where the metal meets the number on the the cloth tape measure.