News From Outside the Bubble

VERONA (AFP) – Shoppers wondering how to deal with the afterlife found an answer Friday -- a cell-phone-equipped golden coffin, one of many items on display at the opening of an international luxury fair in Verona.

The coffin was priced at a mere 280,000 euros (381,000 dollars), while a diamond-studded, cancan-style wedding gown in pink chinchilla fur could be scooped up for 220,000 euros.

More traditional items include a boat running on a Ferrari engine and a crystal-covered piano, whose price was undisclosed.

A limited-edition sports car was priced at 1.3 million euros, while the more ecologically conscious could opt for a 24-carat gold racer bicycle.

An armchair covered with the skin of 20 crocodiles, decorated in gold, diamonds and rubies was on sale for 200,000 euros; a hand-crafted billiard table covered in golden sheets retailed at 60,000 euros.