Dutch metal is a form of brass. The alloy typically consists of 85-88% copper and the remainder being zinc. It is also known by other names such as "Composition gold leaf", "Dutch gold", "Schlagmetal" and "Schlag leaf".^[1]

It is very malleable and ductile and so can be beaten into very thin sheets. These sheets are sold for use as metal leaf or imitation gold leaf.^[2] The addition of arsenic produces an alloy with similar properties but coloured white.