Locks of this type have been made for many hundreds of years, and are still made today. In the middle east and Islamic world a padlock is not just for securing property, there is also a spiritual/affirmation aspect as well, locksmiths set up at the entrances to shines etc making these locks for pilgrims – and for many they should be of traditional designs. The symbol in the bow is important also. But like all things a degree of modernisation may take place in the tools and methods used. The book ‘Locks from Iran’ (now sadly out of print) gives some interesting insights to this culture. Once this aspect is understood some collectors accept this class of lock into their collections.
Some more info here.
