Picture frames in this cannon carriage?

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Here’s a nice bronze cannon, barrel about 2 ft. Long, in a friend’s collection. Bore about 1 1/4”. At first glance appears to be a nice little bronze salute cannon. Bronze carriage is made taller than usual maybe to accommodate the four screwed-on “ormolu” things I’m calling picture frames. I’ve looked at countless small cannons and wouldn’t forget one like this, never saw one, so there aren’t many of these around. Was it made for displaying photos? It is very solid and I have no doubt coulf fire blank salute charges. I picked up and it weighs a good 50 lbs.

 

I like it....but I wouldn't think anyone would make a 50-pound, salute-firing picture frame. I suppose it could once have held nice enameled portraits of the local monarch, or yacht-club commander.....but more likely just an unusual decorative feature.

 

The holes have laurel wreaths around them? Weird.

 

You wouldn't think a cameo would apply here, but:



This is the goddess Nike/Victoria, holding 2 of her 'attributes': a palm branch, as in paume d'or; and a laurel wreath, as in poet laureate, or 'rest on his laurels'. It is an ancient symbol for victory. I know cameos, not cannon. Might this one have been fired in celebration?