aka "left-bids" or "pre-bids"
- Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
- When you place an absentee bid, the system sets the current bid conservatively — just enough to keep you in the lead without revealing your full amount.
- The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
- When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
- Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
How bidding works
- All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
- When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
- Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Your absentee bid for Lot 031 - Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Cane Topper Depicting A Frightened Man Riding A Serpent, 4" H was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Bidder Terms.
Lot 031 - Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Cane Topper Depicting A Frightened Man Riding A Serpent, 4" H
Lot 031 - Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Cane Topper Depicting A Frightened Man Riding A Serpent, 4" H
Lot 031 - Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Cane Topper Depicting A Frightened Man Riding A Serpent, 4" H
A vintage folk art carved wood cane topper depicting a human figure riding... or becoming... a serpent. The carving is executed in light and dark stained wood with painted and pyrography details. The serpent features an open mouth with carved teeth, crosshatch scale patterns along its body, and painted dot decoration. The human figure is shown with carved facial features, hands, and legs visible. The piece features a hollow interior for mounting on a cane. The carving exhibits wear including paint loss, surface scratches, and finish deterioration consistent with age and handling.
Auction Date: 01/22/2026
Share
Finding us in Franklin
58 South Main Street, Franklin, NH 03235
Look for the old orange brick church. That is us — set back off South Main Street, on the corner by the bridge.
Not 58 Old South Main Street. That is a different road a little way down, and GPS sometimes suggests it. Ours is 58 South Main Street.
Parking
- Handicap parking is in the lot and behind the building.
- The other spaces in the lot are first come, first served — but please leave them free for loading and unloading where you can.
- There is plenty of on-street parking, both sides of the street.
NH Auctioneer License No. 7005
Ryan Piccirillo · Granite Union Auction Company
Every sale we run is called by a New Hampshire licensed auctioneer. The license number above is ours, and it belongs to Ryan — you are welcome to check it with the state.
- Auction house: 58 South Main Street, Franklin, NH 03235
- Mailing: 385 Squantum Road, Jaffrey, NH 03452
- Phone: (603) 451-6960
- Email: hello@graniteunionauction.com
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.