Madonna and Christ Bulgarian Icon Pendant/Traveler's Icon/Old Believer

*Thank you to Evgeniy Marchev of https://www.etsy.com/shop/yourfavoritshop for his expertise concerning Bulgarian icons.

This is a vintage, early 20th century Bulgarian icon pendant of the Madonna and Christ child. It is also called a traveler's icon or an icon signifying one as an "Old Believer."

The style of portraying the Madonna and Christ child is reminiscent of the Old Bulgarian icon painters.

www.rosaryworkshop.com writes: In 1723, Peter the Great forbid the casting of metal icons and they were banned in the process of ‘renewing the church’ during that period. Many believers chose not to recognize these changes and took on the metal Icons as their symbol for this reason. They are known as the 'Old Believers' to this day.

The frame is silver-colored but not sterling. I believe the front could be glass but it could also be a plastic so I am unsure about this.

The pendant measures 1 7/8 x 1 1/2, not including the bale in the measurement.

Thank you for looking.