Subtleties, or entremets or banquet dishes, were elaborate sculptures made of sugar, marzipan, or pastry served at royal feasts in the 13th century and beyond. They were designed to be visually impressive and often depicted scenes from mythology or heraldic devices.

It has a slight clay-like consistency with various nuts, pastes, and gums for a more straightforward sculpting process. Subtleties were primarily created for display rather than consumption because they were not tasty. Over time, subtleties became more elaborate and intricate, with some even featuring moving parts and mechanisms. They were a way for monarchs and noble families to showcase their wealth and status, as creating such elaborate dishes required much time, skill, and resources.

While subtleties are no longer a common feature at modern feasts, the tradition of elaborate dessert displays lives on in elaborate wedding cakes and other dessert sculptures.

Source: mentalfloss.com