Pair of bronze axle caps decorated all around with snake-like patterns. They are rare because the linchpins cannot be seen from the outside as is the case with other linchpins in Chinese history. The pin disappears completely in the axle cap. Linchpins were used on the axle caps of a chariot to make sure that the cap at the end of the axle would not become loose. Axle caps in turn were used to affix the wheel to the axle. These ones date from the ‘Spring & Autumn’ period (770 – 476 BC). A very similar one was sold at auction in America in 2002. The length of the axle caps is ca 10 cm.