And idea what this is and where from?

Ok, new pics, liner is robust but not heavy like iron. Have cleaned gunge from planter but not polished it.

 

Zinc, or an alloy thereof, I'd say. Nice thing. I'm so glad you didn't polish it.

 

Good job, rh. You don't have to polish something like this to death, as long as it looks clean and you can see how wonderful it is. And it certainly looks much better now.

 

So it seems to be bronze with a zinc/alloy liner.

But the liner is 1 3/4" deep so more of a drip tray or maybe some kind of receptacle for an oasis?

Just trying to work out how it was used.

And I am guessing French origin, do you agree and roughly what date?

 

French seems reasonable. Mid 19th at a guess.

Two thoughts. Zinc is used to prevent water or ice coming in contact with bronze. This might conceivably be a wine bottle cooler. I think it's more likely to be for floral centrepieces or to pop a couple of plant pots in.