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| American Horror Story: Coven Marie Laveau by Integrity Toys, the box, side view |
I have never watched an episode of American Horror Story: Coven and never plan on doing so. In fact, I had not even heard of the series until I saw photos circulating in late October of Integrity Toys' Marie Laveau doll, made in the likeness of actress, Angela Bassett, who plays the role of Marie Laveau. I wanted the doll solely because IT seemed to have adequately captured Bassett's likeness and in my collection she would be Angela Bassett, not Marie Laveau.
Marie Laveau, who also had a daughter Marie Laveau II, is described as a 19th century Louisiana voodoo priestess. The sinister legend and lore that voodoo connotes posed a problem for me. Even though I knew the doll itself was not a voodoo doll and was a mere representation of the actress, I was momentarily hesitant about ordering. Do I really want this doll?
According to an entry on Wikipedia.com, Louisiana Voodoo, also known as New Orleans Voodoo describes a set of spiritual folkways that developed from the traditions of the African diaspora. It is a cultural form of the Afro-American religions developed by enslaved West Africans and the French, Spanish, and Creole populations of the U. S. state of Louisiana. Voodoo is one of many incarnations of African-based spiritual folkways rooted in West African Dahomeyan Vodun. Its liturgical language is Louisiana Creole French, the language of the Louisiana Creole people.
I decided to order.
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| Angela Bassett |
Angela, arrived on November 8, the day America held the election for the 45th President of the United States. With the horrific election results revealed the following morning, I wondered, "Will this presidency be a true American horror story?" I pray not and continue to pray in that regard. But I digress, back to the doll.
I love Angela, the fashion, accessories, and her rooted two-strand twisted braids. As I felt they had done prior to seeing the doll in person, the sculptor(s) captured Bassett's likeness almost to perfection.
Had I not been forewarned about the back of box graphics, one image in particular, I would have been shocked when seeing it initially. Because I knew it was there before the doll arrived and thankfully it is much smaller than I had imagined, it has no shock value. The box will never be placed for the image to be visible.
I have not removed Angela from the box to write a detailed review. The following video by Mike and Elio illustrates all the fine details I would have written.
The video was helpful in writing the doll's description for my Excel spreadsheet entry, an image of which is shown below:
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Check out my eBay listings here.
Thanks for sharing your pictures and that bit of voodoo history.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch that show either, it sounds too far out for me,but,this doll really looks a lot like Angela Bassett and I love her outfit too.
You're welcome, Maricha. The outfit helped in my decision to purchase.
Deletedbg
I am tempted to digress with you for a moment, but will resist. Suffice it to say that I am praying also, and that I wish I'd had a doll arrival on November 9th to distract me from the horror that I faced that morning. Thanks so much for this informative post about the Marie Laveau doll. I had previously been on the fence about buying her. I've never seen any episodes of American Horror Story and did not know that Angela Bassett had a role. I thought that the doll looked like her. I was not bothered by the character that the doll represents. I wanted the doll mainly because it looks like Angela Bassett. I have decided to pass on this one (I'm trying to slow down a little), and I hope that I don't regret my decision in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi Roxanne,
DeleteI wake up to the perceived horror of our current situation daily and as I kneel down and pray, daily, I pray for our country hoping that the hatred that has reared its ugly head, as a result of that man's campaign rhetoric, will be lifted; that the hearts and minds of men will change for the better good of our nation, our world. I just could not fathom him winning and still feel like its unreal. Hopefully, prayerfully, our perceived horror is not justified. I am watching very little news (never watched much anyway) lately and when on FB, I scroll past any political posts or anything that appears negative. I am, however, not burying my head in the sand and remain alert and vigilant while out in the world, praying for safety for myself and my family.
Back to Angela (I prefer to call her that), I hope you won't have regrets over not purchasing. I didn't want to have any, which is the main reason she's here. I knew if the doll made me uncomfortable after arriving, I would immediate resell her or attempt to do so. She does not generate any discomfort and is a keeper.
dbg
Her voodoo priestess character gave me pause, too. I thought perhaps I was the only one. Im glad you overcame your qualms and decided to get her. She's lovely and a good likeness. I only wish her eyes were less beady.
ReplyDeleteHi Jewell,
DeleteI am sure there are others who didn't order because of her backstory. I am glad I got over it. Her eyes are small but enhance her serious air. I see Bassett in her role in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" in this doll.
dbg
She is nice! I hadn't heard about her. I like her look from head to toe. I see Angela around the mouth.
DeleteI am prayerful that things aren't are dire as they currently seem. I try not to post political things on FB, but I was led to do so today.
I haven't seen your post from today, will look for it. Keeping hope alive that our situation isn't as dire as it appears it could be based on the appointments that have been made to date. With people like that in his ear, who knows what we will be up against.
Deletedbg
She could very well be a sign! I believe in Voodoo and the spirit world. My father family was from New Orleans so being "in tune" to my surrounding have always been a part of my life. That is a perfect replica of Angela Basset so I hope she ends up living her in Dotsville.
ReplyDeleteHi Brini,
DeleteHad she been created as a voodoo doll, maybe she could be a sign. However, she represents Angela Bassett's character as Marie Laveau, but here she is Angela Bassett. The only sign she represents is she is a doll I wanted, that I thought had sold out from this particular seller, but actually became available for me to purchase: a sign that she needed to come live here.
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