Holding metal, back to front, turned to beat thin layer (4,4)

I believe the answer is:

gold leaf

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'holding metal' is the definition.
'gold leaf' can be an answer for 'metal' (thesaurus). I'm not certain of the 'holding' bit.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gold leaf that I've seen before include "Decorative foil" , "Beaten metal for decoration" , "Thin metal used as decoration" , "Finely beaten precious metal" , "Thinly beaten metal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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