Korean Wedding Ducks Value Guide

Korean Wedding Ducks, known as Won-Ang, are hand-carved wooden figures from the 1950-1970 era that serve as vital symbols of marital harmony. These collectibles are highly sought after for their cultural significance, representing the monogamous nature and lifelong loyalty of ducks within traditional Korean marriage customs.

What Is Korean Wedding Ducks Worth?

The typical price range for Korean Wedding Ducks is $80 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The quality and intricacy of the hand-carving, particularly around the beak and tail feathers.
• The condition of the original paint, with higher values assigned to pairs with minimal chipping or fading.
• Provenance or evidence of the ducks being used in an actual traditional wedding ceremony.
• The type of wood used and the overall symmetry between the male and female duck figures.

How to Identify Korean Wedding Ducks?

• Look for hand-carved details in the wood that distinguish them from modern, mass-produced resin replicas.
• Check for the presence of traditional paint pigments common in mid-century Korean craftsmanship.
• Verify they are a matched pair, as these ducks are specifically designed to be displayed together to symbolize the union.
• Examine the underside for signs of age-appropriate wear consistent with 1950-1970 wooden artifacts.

History of Korean Wedding Ducks

Korean wedding ducks, or Won-Ang, are an integral part of traditional Korean marriage customs. These hand-carved wooden ducks are exchanged between the bride and groom's families, and then kept in the couple's home. They symbolize the couple's wish for a long and harmonious marriage, as ducks are known for their monogamous nature and loyalty. The tradition emphasizes marital bliss and the importance of a lasting union.