Figure of a comic actor as a slave with a baby at The British Museum, London

This is part of a series of terracottas dating from the archaic period. The earliest in this collection are fairly simple and hand-modelled; the latest are elaborate pieces, produced from several moulds. In the archaic period, Boeotia, especially Tanagra, pioneered the development of new terracotta types, styles and techniques. In the classical and Hellenistic periods, fine terracottas were also made in Corinth, Athens and elsewhere. The mainland Greek 'Tanagra' style, originating at Athens, was to spread throughout the Hellenistic world. Most of the terracottas shown here were found in tombs, where they served as offerings to the gods of the udnerworld or as comfort for the dead. Similar figurines were also dedicated in sanctuaries, or, in later times, used to decorate the home. Unless stated otherwise, all terracottas in this series were made in one or more moulds.