Saves bandwidth (12K > 8KB for main css request). Even with the extra image requests included (~0.5K), because many weren't used.
Longer tail of image requests. Requests start relatively late (CSS applies, indirection). Final paint regresses.
On mobile [confirmation needed] content images are requested and rendered earlier (inside the first paint even, previously first paint was without the infobox image). Saves a reflow as well.
At the cost of rendering interface icons later.
Maybe keep @embed for the handful of icons that are on every page view. And consider converting to something like @push (T???).
Bugs:
* Mobile doesn't reserve image box width/height in infobox, causing reflow. Fine on desktop.