Cf. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden, 1981, p. 102, no. 47; M. Bieber, The History of the Greek and Roman Theater, London, 1961, pp. 105, 149, figs. 410, 547 for similar figures and for a full discussion of comic actors; and F. F. Jones, Ancient Art in the Art Museum, Princeton University, Princeton, 1960, p 57, pl. on p. 56 for a similar comic actor " ... impersonating a slave seated on an altar, could well be an illustration of a scene in Plautus' 'Mostellaria' ('The Haunted House')". The mischievous slave, Tranio, takes refuge on an altar to escape the wrath of his master; aware of the security of his position, he cannot refrain from taunting and jeering remarks." As with the figure above, the Princeton bronze is hollow and a groove running around the altar seems to allow the figurine to slide or slot into a base or receptacle. It has been suggested that the figure may be the top of an incense-burner, the smoke from which rose through the mouth of the mask to add to the comic effect.