.jpg?w=1)
Details
AN 18TH CENTURY GOLD AND ENAMEL MOURNING RING
For a member of the 'Beefsteak Club', the oval bezel with grid iron on blue ground in white enamel inscribed, Beef and Liberty', to scroll shoulders and hoop, the bezel reverse engraved, John Thornhill, Esq, Obt. 23 Sep 1757, Aet 57.
finger size - M
For a member of the 'Beefsteak Club', the oval bezel with grid iron on blue ground in white enamel inscribed, Beef and Liberty', to scroll shoulders and hoop, the bezel reverse engraved, John Thornhill, Esq, Obt. 23 Sep 1757, Aet 57.
finger size - M
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Further details
John Thornhill, son of the famous painter Sir James Thornhill succeeded his father as 'serjeant painter' to the King and was brother-in-law to William Hogarth.
Rings with this inscription were produced for members of the Whig Beefsteak Club founded on 6 December, 1735 and originally entitled The Sublime Society of Beefsteaks or the Beefsteak Society. Initially there were twenty four members who used to meet in the room of John Rich at Covent Garden for evenings of conversation and conviviality. William Hogarth joined as their second member and John Wilkes and David Garrick were among their number. It is said that the name of the society was adopted when Lord Peterborough taking supper one night with Rich in his private room was so impressed with the steak that Rich had grilled for him, that he suggested that they have the same the next week and the tradition was established.
John Thornhill is listed as joining the club on 6 December, 1735 when he was described as 'serjeant painter' or painter to the King.
A small number of these rings have survived, cf. O. M. Dalton, 'Catalogue of Finger rings in the British Museum', London, 1912, no. 1628. Also D. Scarisbrick, 'Rings Symbols of Wealth, Power and Affection',London 1993, p. 152. A similar ring was sold at Christie's London, October 1990, Lot 439.
Rings with this inscription were produced for members of the Whig Beefsteak Club founded on 6 December, 1735 and originally entitled The Sublime Society of Beefsteaks or the Beefsteak Society. Initially there were twenty four members who used to meet in the room of John Rich at Covent Garden for evenings of conversation and conviviality. William Hogarth joined as their second member and John Wilkes and David Garrick were among their number. It is said that the name of the society was adopted when Lord Peterborough taking supper one night with Rich in his private room was so impressed with the steak that Rich had grilled for him, that he suggested that they have the same the next week and the tradition was established.
John Thornhill is listed as joining the club on 6 December, 1735 when he was described as 'serjeant painter' or painter to the King.
A small number of these rings have survived, cf. O. M. Dalton, 'Catalogue of Finger rings in the British Museum', London, 1912, no. 1628. Also D. Scarisbrick, 'Rings Symbols of Wealth, Power and Affection',London 1993, p. 152. A similar ring was sold at Christie's London, October 1990, Lot 439.