virtu

 
Pronunciation: /vəːˈt(j)uː/
(also vertu)

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1knowledge of or expertise in the fine arts.
  • curios or objets d’art collectively.
  • 2 literary the good qualities inherent in a person or thing.

Phrases

article (or object) of virtu

an article that is interesting because of its antiquity, beauty, quality of workmanship, etc..

Origin:

early 18th century: from Italian virtù 'virtue'; the variant vertu is an alteration, as if from French