Small enamel picture

Did a bit of horse trading today and one of the things I ended up with was this little (4" square) cloisonne mat enamel picture. It has a nothing frame so I didn't bother taking a picture of it - however some Spanish writing on the reverse backing paper looks like it was some kind of gift?

I don't think the picture is Spanish BTW!

Anyone able to read?

 

According to google translate
tan mucho ustedes debo que nunca puedo cumplirla
tan mucho ustedes quiero se como puedo decirlo
so much you must I can never fulfill it
so much you want to know how I can say it
Cheers
Stephen

 

Looks Judaic...

 

IS Jewish......Rabbi & Father talking to his son ! with ancestors looking on....

 

No kiddin!

I'm sure it is just that.

 

I thought some kind of bar mitzvah gift?

 

At first glance......but there's no Tallit...no scrolls....some part of the ceremonial whatsits would have to be shown....to set the scene...
BUT....I guess.....it was a gift of some sort....

 

Is it possible that the over complicated bit circled below is an artist's monogram?

 

no..........it's dad's hand on his sons shoulder..........

 

Oh, i think you're right!

 

...it was worth the ask...!!!

U know...Spain at one time had a big Jewish population.....
that Rabbi's hat....to me that's an older European style.......
Just sayin.........

 

yes...like I said...an ancestor...peeking over the Rabbi's shoulder !!

 

you are not seeing things..........umm,,,,here at least !!

 

I think it is European, the flat mat enamel style shows up in jewellery made by Bunge, Schibensky and contemporaries in the 50's ...always been a fan of that stuff.

 

Probably copper, reverse is counter-enamelled so can't see the back ..the area you circled in blue is transparent-ish and what you're seeing is through the enamel to the base - and that looks like copper.

 

Roughly:

I owe you so much that I can never repay you.
I love you so much that I can never say it.

Given construction, might be a quote.

Is dedication written in fountain pen and not ball point? If so, that will help date your piece.

Debora

 

I agree, Debora, more likely a quote than a dedication. First , "ustedes" is the plural for "you" and second, it is also the "formal" version which you would not use to speak to a person you "love" in the romantic or familial sense.

 

Rather than a dedication or gift inscription, might it be a lengthy title for the piece? It seems consistent with the subject matter. Have you tried googling the whole phrase?