Miles Hancock (VA, 1887-1974), Bufflehead

Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1940, carved and painted wood, tack eyes

Length 11 in.

Private Collection, Chincoteague, Virginia

Hancock is self-taught and deeply rooted in the hunting traditions of the Eastern Shore, he began carving working decoys in the early 1900s to support his livelihood as a market hunter. His decoys—known for their bold form, durability, and practical paint—were crafted primarily from cedar and pine. Over his lifetime, Hancock carved thousands of decoys, becoming a central figure in the Chincoteague carving tradition.

Original paint worn to bare wood in places, tight age check in the head.