Columbina

one of the stock characters of the Italian commedia dell’arte of the 16th and 17th centuries. Columbina was originally a maid, a merry and enterprising peasant girl. As the commedia dell’arte became aristocratized, Columbina lost her folk traits and became a traditional theatrical character—the witty and graceful soubrette. The Italian actress C. Biancolelli (died 1716) was famous for her portrayal of Columbina.