schornsteinfeger

 

Among my favorite nutcrackers are the Schornsteinfegers or chimney sweeps. From medieval times, seeing a German Schornsteinfeger dressed in the traditional working outfit of a black suit with double breasted gold buttoned jacket, white kerchief and black top hat is believed to guarantee good fortune. By law, in Germany a chimney must be cleaned and the heating system inspected twice a year by a Land designated chimney sweep. So the profession continues.  Even Mary Poppins proclaimed chimney sweeps "as lucky as luck can be."  Chim chim cher-ee!