The first set of shuang jian do no appear to be ritual swords, though, as stated, they were most probably owned by a scholar. Most of the later jian were indeed never intended to be used, but the first example has blades that appear longer and heavier than all of the following tortoise shell examples (the ones without intact scabbards probably had tortoise shell). These swords were used in a variety of contexts indicated by the symbols on the guard. The bats (fu) are luck symbols and could bring luck through ritual or just sitting on an altar. The other common symbol is the double happiness and may indicate the sword was a wedding gift. Many tortoise shell shuang jian were probably used this way. I have a set from Sumatra supposedly brought be Chinese fleeing the end of the Qing. They have every indication they were a wedding present but they also show signs they were used. I don't think it was for demonstration or performance. It is always useful to have something sharp.
In a larger context, double swords have a long history among the many double weapons of China. They are certainly well represented in Ming art and the famous "Ten Feet of Steel" from "Outlaws of the Marsh" (Water Margin) is a good example. Shuang jian are well represented among village jian though still a bit rare. These are solid tools with solid heavy blades with the stiff tight feel of weapons. While examples from the cities became more and more ceremonial, the villages made examples meant to be used.
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