Plate arms from “Abraham van Loon” headstone

Description

The plate arms from the headstone of Abraham van Loon, dated 1368 and located in the Church of St Odulfus, Borgloon (Limbourg, Belgium), are remarkable as one of the earliest surviving examples of European plate armour in effigy form.

These arms include multiple components: a rerebrace (upper arm protection), elbow couter (elbow guard), and vambrace (forearm guard), sculpted in stone to represent steel plate protection typical of mid‑14th century martial attire.

While the effigy is carved rather than forged, the stylised depiction provides insight into armour design of the period: overlapping articulated plates allowing movement, coverage of vulnerable zones like the elbow, and a design that blends both function and symbolic status. The headstone’s martial costume underscores van Loon’s rank and identity as knight or man‑at‑arms.