I bought this icon in Albania from a small local trader who sourced it from a group of Albanian villages in the mountains. Orthodox communities were persecuted during the time of Stalinism, icons hidden and items now slowly come to market as people sell assets and feel less connected to the faith of their ancestors. Few icons of this size are however available. For what I can see, it is well preserved with brilliant colors that remind me of the now famous Albanian icon painter Onufri from Berat (16th century). The panel is heavy chestnut wood as is common for most old furniture and icons in Albania.
A good fiend, an Orthodox priest with a PhD in liturgy, inspected the icon and estimates it to be from early to middle 18th century in view of the use of engraved guilding and the renaissance influences in the depictions. He furthermore believes it originates from or from around Albania as indicated by the facial features (round faces, pronounced nose)
There are some candle and smoke marks at the bottom. Also one small section of paint came off as a result of a knot in the chestnut panel.
