From The Collections of Mike and Annie Gaither, US Navy 1959-1982. With a sense of duty for his country Mike joined the US Navy in 1959 the idea was to see the world and obtain an education that would propel his future. The opportunity to become part of the submarine fleet was compelling and once involved it became his career path of choice. In 1964 he married his lifelong partner Annie Nix. And to this day they are still happily married. While in the Navy he specialized in communication and electronic repair and was able to obtain the rank of Radioman Chief Petty Officer during his time in the service he supervised crews of up to 25 in high speed communications, repair and records and Department Chief coordinating 8 repair divisions. Analyzing commands to discover systemic difficulties and training to resolve difficulties. Additional fields include intercultural and race relations, Drug and Alcohol training. With a long career in the Navy his desire to visit many foreign countries was fulfilled. His desire to be a leader in the open markets directed his path into the pastoral leadership where he was able to train and work with people in Italy Guam Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, Republic of Palau, with visits to such countries Germany, and Asian Countries. With the opportunity to be in such places also provided the knowledge and ability to obtain collectables from the area. Reaching a point where one feels that it is time to downsize and realign their assets this has opened the door for others to add these items into their private collection. The quality is exceptional, pristine and highly sought after. The Collections of Mike and Annie Gaither presented and offered up to auctions from Lot-140 through Lot-153, continued from Lot-268 through Lot-324, continued from Lot-415 through Lot-429, and Lot-439.
A large moon flask vase. Its shape means ?embracing the moon? and consists of a circular flattened body signifying the moon, a flat base, tubular neck and 2 applied handles which arch gracefully and descend on either side to create an ?embrace? between neck and body. This stoutly potted vase is executed in a vibrant cobalt glazed designs on a white ground. Stylized dragon handles drape from mid-neck to shoulder-tip. A band of stylized lotus and vine winds around the middle of the neck. The body design is identical on each side and features a random stylized design of rouge-de-fer lotus and assorted other flowers with cobalt tendrils and leaves twining around the sides. The shoulder displays a ruyi collar. A custom carved Hongmu stand accompanies this vase. Qianlong six characters reign mark, Qing Dynasty