Art nouveau letter holder by Elsie Ward Hering

Around 1900. It depicts a woman with long hair, dressed in a draped tunic, lined with chestnut leaves. She keeps ajar, a book whose dish is embellished with water lilies in relief. The base evokes a river. Metal. Signed w hering on the base. Height: 35 cm. Length: 31 cm. Very nice original condition. Elsie ward hering (1872-1923) was an american artist, wife of sculptor henry hering. She works with bronze or metal objects, in a delicate art nouveau style.