Mesta ballot jug

Until they arrived at the National Archaeological Museum in 2001, these pieces belonged to the Honrado Concejo de la Mesta (Honourable Council of the Mesta), an association created in 1273 by Alfonso X to bring together the shepherds in the kingdoms of León and Castille, which enjoyed considerable privileges. The Mesta coat of arms is engraved on the body of the jug. Balls were placed inside it – three of which have been preserved – with ballot papers showing the votes from the parties in Soria, Cuenca, Segovia and León. Each party would appoint two electors, who in turn elected where the meetings would take place, as well as the treasurer and attorney general. The piece was created in Madrid in 1631, as shown by the markings on the jug, which are chronological with the castle and the rampant lion over ‘631’ and the marker ‘epdra’, belonging to the main member, Esteban de Pedrera, who died the following year. It does not have a maker’s mark, so the craftsman is unknown.