Overview
Rare “Kyoto” rug by Gaetano Pesce for Expansion, Bologna, 1969. A powerful example of Italian Radical Design, where material, perception, and form dissolve into a dynamic and almost sculptural textile surface.
Description
This extraordinary rug belongs to a key moment in Gaetano Pesce’s career, when design moves beyond the rigidity of modernism toward a more experimental, sensory, and expressive language.
Crafted in wool, the piece is defined by a differentiated pile construction that creates a strong visual and tactile vibration. The design, initially perceived as geometric, gradually dissolves into an irregular and fluid grid, generating a dynamic three-dimensional effect typical of Pesce’s work.
The warm tones of brown and beige, combined with variations in pile height and density, produce a changing perceptual depth that evolves with light and perspective. The darker side bands act as a visual frame, enhancing the central optical composition.
More than a decorative object, this rug functions as an “active surface,” closer to an artwork than to a traditional textile element.
Design & Concept
Pesce’s approach rejects uniformity and embraces irregularity, transforming material into a language of expression. In this piece, the surface becomes unstable, almost alive, inviting interaction and perception rather than passive observation.
This rug exemplifies his radical vision of the late 1960s, where design is no longer static but experiential.
Authenticity
The presence of the original label “Expansion – Kyoto – design by Gaetano Pesce – Bologna, Italy” confirms the authenticity of the piece and places it precisely within the historical production of the manufacturer.
Technical Details
Product: “Kyoto” Rug
Designer: Gaetano Pesce
Manufacturer: Expansion, Bologna
Year: 1969
Materials: Wool with differentiated pileDimensions: Length: 240cm | Depth: 167cm
Condition: Very good condition with slight and natural signs of time and use, consistent with age. The pile remains well preserved, with a rich and material texture.
Collectibility
A rare and historically significant piece, difficult to find on the market, representing one of the most experimental phases of Italian design. Ideal for collectors and interiors where design becomes a form of artistic expression.
Designer
Gaetano Pesce is one of the most influential figures of Italian Radical Design. Since the 1960s, he has challenged modernist rigidity by introducing irregularity, color, and emotional expression into objects and interiors.
Through experimental materials and deliberately imperfect forms, Pesce redefined design as a dynamic and human-centered experience, transforming objects into narratives rather than static compositions.