Maybe try a lighter on the red area, if it is wax it should come off easy, and that shouldn't mess with the metal. I have not seen wax stains on metal yet, but maybe so. Maybe it was just made that way for effect. Can you get a clear pic and maybe a shot from under the item. Not sure where else to take it with makers marks, we have little evidence to go on for age, except style, which is for sure Art Novea, and this may just be enough, even the repo stuff sell pretty good, my lady friend just bought a repo art Novea clock, based on looks not the age.