virtu

vir·tu  (vr-t, vr-) also ver·tu (vr-)

n.

1. A knowledge or love of or taste for fine objects of art.

2. Objects of art, especially fine antique objets d'art, considered as a group.

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[Italian virtù, virtue, virtu, from Latin virts, excellence, virtue; see virtue.]

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virtu, vertu [vɜːˈtuː]

n

1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a taste or love for curios or works of fine art; connoisseurship

2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) such objects collectively

3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) the quality of being rare, beautiful, or otherwise appealing to a connoisseur (esp in the phrases articles of virtu; objects of virtu)

[from Italian virtù; see virtue]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	virtu - love of or taste for fine objects of art connoisseurship, vertu appreciation, discernment, perceptiveness, taste - delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values); "arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success"; "to ask at that particular time was the ultimate in bad taste"
	2.	virtu - artistic quality                     vertu quality - an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare
	3.	virtu - objet d'art collectively (especially fine antiques) art object, objet d'art, piece - a work of art of some artistic value; "this store sells only objets d'art"; "it is not known who created this piece"