Figurine vs. Doll vs. Action Figure

Dolls and action figures tend to have moving parts and are suitable for child's play. Figurines are "frozen" and may be breakable. Early figurines were made of stone, and later ceramic, glass, wood, metal, and plastic were used. They can be used for board games like chess, or decoration, or religious symbols such as Venus figurines or the Virgin Mary.

Fire clay figurines have been discovered in Africa, Asia, and Europe dating back to 30,000 B.C. and are theorized as the first indicators of human culture.