The tingling of champagne on the tongue, the Far Eastern beauty of a kimono, the exquisite taste of saffron, and the sweet allure of idleness: Life holds numerous pleasures. Just as diverse and extravagant are the chapters of the Encyclopedia of the Exquisite, which juxtaposes the elegant with the quirky, the special with the tried and true. Following the model of the exotic encyclopedias of the 16th century, it offers a wealth of extravagant artifacts, whose stories are illustrated with amusing anecdotes. The reader enters the realm of style and the fine arts, fashion, food, and travel. A love letter to the luxury of both great and small things.