Q: Is the plumage represented that of the male or the female?
It is the nuptial plumage of the male — the most colorful and immediately recognizable of the mallard. The green head with iridescent reflections separated from the body by a fine white collar, the mahogany chest, the pearl gray sides, and the blue-violet wing mirror edged in white are the characteristics of the adult male in breeding plumage (autumn-winter-spring). This is the plumage under which the mallard is universally known and represented.
Q: What is the difference between this standing duck and the lying mallard in the range?
The posture and the format. The lying mallard (19x14xH23 cm) is depicted in a relaxed posture, body horizontal and lower — more discreet, more intimate. This standing mallard (33x18xH29 cm, 1.30 kg) is upright, alert, head raised — more visible, more present, more impactful from afar. The two are designed to complement each other: together at the edge of a pond, they form a very successful naturalistic couple scene.
Q: Can this sculpture stay outside all year round, including in Belgian winter?
Yes, without restriction. The high-density polyresin is tested down to -20 °C — it withstands Belgian and Dutch winters without cracking. The UV treatment specifically protects the pigments of the plumage, particularly the iridescent green of the head (especially sensitive to unprotected UV) and the blue of the wing mirror. Its weight (1.30 kg) also ensures excellent stability in the wind. No shelter necessary.
Q: Are the feather details really hand-painted or is it industrial printing?
Hand-painted, layer by layer. This is precisely what gives the green of the head its characteristic iridescent reflections — a color impossible to reproduce by industrial printing — and explains why each piece has slight natural variations in shades. It is these variations that enhance the realism: two identical ducks side by side would not look exactly alike, just like in nature.
Q: Is this a good gift for someone who has a pond in their garden?
It is one of the most targeted and immediately relevant gifts for a pond owner. A standing mallard duck at the edge of a garden pond is a classic and universally appreciated scene — it gives the impression that the bird has come to settle there on its own. The fidelity of the hand-painted plumage and the Medium size (H29 cm) make it a piece that lasts and generates comments with every visit.