Gold and enamel "Sublime Society of Beef Steaks", mourning ring, circa 1757

the blue and white enamel bezel depicting a gridiron the emblem of the "Sublime Society of Beef Steaks", encircling with the words "Beef and Liberty", the shank indistinctly inscribed "OB 23 SEP 1757 AE", size I.

Cf: Diana Scarisbrick ,"Historic Rings, Four Thousand years of Craftsmanship", Kodansha International 2004, page 117 for an image of a similar Beefsteak Club member's ring.

Mounted in gold. Abrasions commensurate with age and wear. Extensive wear and loss to enamel on band and inscription partially worn, name no longer visible. Wear to blue and white enamel on bezel with heavy abrasions through wear.
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The Sublime Society of Beef Steaks was established in 1735 by John Rich the manager at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. The early core of the society was made up of actors, artists, writers and musicians, including among them William Hogarth, David Garrick, John Wilkes, Samuel Johnson and John Philip Kemble.The society soon became much celebrated and these men of the arts were joined by noblemen, royalty and statesmen including in 1785, the Prince of Wales, and later his brothers the Dukes of Clarence and Sussex.

Meetings were held every Saturday between November and June where all the members were required to wear the society's uniform of a blue coat and buff waistcoat with brass buttons bearing a gridiron motif and the words "Beef and liberty". Steaks were served on hot pewter plates, with onions and baked potatoes, and were accompanied by port or porter with a  second course of toasted cheese.