A pageant, model, inedible dish or edible dish, presented as entertainment or decoration between courses. Hence, any dish in which extra care is taken over the appearance and presentation.
A subtlety (also sotelty or soteltie) was an elaborate form of dish common in Europe, particularly England and France, during the late Middle Ages. Its function was to demarcate main courses from one another while also entertaining diners. A subtlety could be anything from a pie with exotic spices to an elaborate model of a castle made of pastry.