[size=3]After a month of research, emails sent asking for information and never returned I am hoping someone can give me some direction on this piece. This is what I do know about this [stick]http://i.imgur.com/4Rs9CZJ.jpg[/img].

The upper section of the walking stick is carved in the caged ball style. While there are numerous examples of caged ball walking sticks many of them are primitive in nature. With this walking stick the artist created a work of stunning originality with each element being carved with both mastery and purpose.

Inside the carved cage is not the typical round ball found in most examples. This artist and master carver has carefully carved the [twenty-sixth President of the United States of America; Teddy (Theodore) Roosevelt ]http://i.imgur.com/ZDXlQfv.jpg[/img]. Examination of the artist’s work prompted question after question which in turn demanded more research. Many days of research revealed little with regard to the possible artist, their style, or subject matter.

Some of the questions I pondered with my research were; why is Roosevelt in a cage? Why are there 14 different species of animals carved on the [stick]http://i.imgur.com/lxkn81M.jpg[/img]? Why are they all depicted as crawling or walking towards Roosevelt the great hunter? Most animals turn and run when they become prey. In this instance is it the caged Roosevelt who has become the prey? If in fact Roosevelt, the great hunter, is the focus of these animals, why did the artist depict him in a jacket with tails and not his hunting attire? There are so many questions and with too few answers.[/size]

If you have any ideas I would be very grateful. Thank you for your consideration.