Marked Italy Ceramic or Pottery Tray Watercolor Painting Artist Signed

I am clueless on this tray and coming up empty in searches. I believe the tray is either ceramic or pottery, with a matte glaze. When I hold it upright and tap it, there is a loud and lingering ring sound. Hoping that might help to identify the material.

Marked Italy on the reverse and has an artist signature on the front, though I have no idea what it says.

Can anyone help ID the material, age, artist or general price range. Thanks for looking and for any information you can share.
Charlotte

 

And yet, don't they look in their 'dress', rather French????

 

I think they're meant to be Venetian ...

 

Thank you Aquitaine and blooey for offering those observations.

Can anyone offer insight as to the actual composition that produces the long lingering ringing sound when tapped? I know it's not lead crystal. lol

The signature does remind me of Italian, with maybe Fioretti or ??? as the first name.