Celtic Chariot Linchpin

Culture: Middle Europe

Period: 4th-2nd century B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 16.5 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 5020

Provenance: South German art market.

Condition: Rare example of an intact linchpin of bronze and iron. The iron part is professionally stabilized.

Description: Linchpin of a chariot, to avoid on Celtic wooden spoke wheels, the moving of the hub and the sliding of the wheel. The spike has a stylized human face with large, round, protruding ears and a big nose. Eyes and mouth are punched. The upper body is outlined, where the arms are placed on the hips, forming a hole for the retainer. In addition the linchpin was fixed with a punched disk normal to the body. The stylized head of a man and the upper body, as well as the hole, are made of bronze. The attached nail is made of iron.