Scherenschnitte is the German name for cutting silhouettes. I imagine a woman in a mountain chalet after the children are tucked in bed lighting a candle and sitting down with her scissors or knife as the fire crackles in the fireplace. Outside her window she can see the snow tumbling as a neighbour opens his door lighting the distance between the two houses.

How careful she had to be as tiny pieces of paper fall on the table top. If the dog bumps the edge of the table several nights work could be lost.

People still produce this art form today. The antique pieces cost a fortune, the new ones half a fortune as well they should.

There are replicas on trays, napkins, table cloths etc. It is as much a part of Switzerland's folk ambiance as alpine horns, cows with or without bells and fondue.

Today, for the first time I saw it on a truck.