Kris handles showing royal 'mascots'?

[Cinna]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Ganjawulung" [ . . . ] may have been drawing a parallel with "the Hunchback of Notre Dame" and creating a visual joke..

I agree.

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The dwarfs kept in the past by Javanese, and perhaps other South East Asian rulers were a royal attribute, as such it would be unfitting for the general populace to use such figures as keris hilts. [ . . . ] the very strict requirements of dress within a Javanese kraton hierarchy would have prevented a figural hilt form such as were produced for cabinet display from ever being used by the only people who could use them, that is, members of the upper levels of the kraton hierarchy.

This is fascinating information, many thanks! - Cinna