How did figurines from western Anatolia differ from those made in Cappadocia?

In the context of Anatolian art, the archaeological record highlights distinct traditions for figurines between western Anatolia and the central region of Cappadocia (specifically the Kültepe area).

• Western Anatolia: At sites such as Hacılar, Chalcolithic-era figurines are noted for a higher standard of modeling in unpainted clay. These include steatopygous (fat-buttocked) female figures, which are depicted in various poses—some seated or reclining, and others shown holding a child or a tame animal. Additionally, stylized human idols were produced, often featuring decorative designs similar to those found on contemporary pottery.1
• Cappadocia (Central Anatolia): During the Middle Bronze Age, figurines found in the houses of merchants at Kültepe represent a different focus. While these sites produced imaginative theriomorphic (animal-form) vessels and rhytons, the human-form figurines were typically used to represent local deities. These small statuettes, along with molded reliefs, served as part of the religious iconography of the indigenous peoples, often accompanied by sacred furniture and ritual attributes.2

While western Anatolian figurines from the earlier Chalcolithic period emphasize stylized human forms and domestic or ritualistic poses, the Cappadocian tradition of the Middle Bronze Age is more closely tied to the formal representation of a pantheon of gods.21