Rare Kyoto Rug by Gaetano Pesce for Expansion, 1969

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.