I am not able to answer on Davids questions or post pictures of some older specimens, yet have some observations.
I have seen some older hilts of this type, and they fill a wide range between quite realistic depictions, like the Keris from Vienna, symplified planar forms, and hilts, where this figure pass into floral ornaments.
In the KITLV publication of Gronemans "The Javanese Kris" there is something like a Pakem from 1840, written in Surakarta. It starts on page 117 and has some hilts of this type. Quite realistic, with discernible palms, are hilts on pages 117, 123 (which otherwise is covered with floral motifs). Another, more abstract specimens are depicted on pages 119, 130, 131, 135. These hilts sometimes are already like "open borders" to planar or West-Javanese/Madurese floral hilts. An early specimen of this kind is depicted in Krisdisk, Ch. 6, p. 7. Another one - in Solyoms book, p.32.
It seems these "Wadon" hilts could have been an issue in emergence of modern planar hilt forms (with Patra). Patra occur at the places, where breasts and toes are depicted on "Wadon" hilts.There are also some older planar hilts with grooves, which are connecting both Patra.
An interesting point is orientation of the hilt. The old (and also the newer ones from Bali) figural hilts are always mounted with face to the width of the blade. The old "Wadon" hilts, which also are "figural" are always mounted with face to the Gandhik, like all planar hilts.
Yes, and a beautiful specimen from an old thread, on a 17th century Javanese blade:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=veiled+durga