| an alloy of copper and zinc in the form of thin sheets, used as an imitation of gold leaf. |
| Dutch metal n. An alloy of 80 percent copper and 20 percent zinc used to make low-priced jewelry and in thin sheets as an inexpensive imitation of gold leaf. |
Dutch metal
brass with a yellow colour simulating that of gold. The percentage of copper ranges from 85 to 88, the remainder being zinc. As the zinc content becomes higher, the colour becomes paler. Highly ductile and malleable, Dutch metal is used in bronzing and in preparing imitation gold leaf. Gilding with Dutch metal is far less costly than gilding with gold, but the coating of Dutch metal tarnishes rapidly unless coated with lacquer. See also brass
Learn more about Dutch metal with a free trial on Britannica.com.