base metal; old metal
Refers to the underlying metal in an art object, often of lesser value, or to old metal material. Used in contexts such as metalworking, sculpture, or restoration.
The base metal of this Buddhist statue is made of copper.
修理の際、下金の状態を確認する必要がある。
When repairing, it is necessary to check the condition of the base metal.
Compound of 下 (shita, 'under, lower') and 金 (kane, 'metal'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of base or underlying metal.