If you go to an ordinary encyclopedia (you know, the kind people used to keep in their library) and look up the word vertu, you'll find precious, often small ornamental objects, curiosities, or rarities, and perhaps especially goldsmiths' and jewelers' work. The word originates from the Latin pretiosa, actually the neuter plural of pretiosus (precious), which derives from pretium (roughly meaning value, price). The word has existed in Swedish since the 18th century and is included in SAOL, the Swedish Academy's word list.
At Uppsala Auktionskammare, we get just over 100 lots under the heading Preciosa. And the theme is full of exactly the kind of small, beautiful things described above. Here are three samples:
A necklace with antique Ottoman coins is something out of the ordinary. The wristwatch in cool Art Deco is a little piece of elegance. And like a fresh breath of spring is Sigurd Persson's brooch in gold and coral.
But as said, these are only three examples from a rich catalogue filled with what is called Preciosa.
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