Black cross pattern under wallpaper - what is it?

[leonmahon]

I'm stripping the last of the wallpaper from my house, from the hall/stairs/landing.

Unlike any of the other rooms, underneath the wallpaper, a black, cross pattern is visible. Any ideas what it is? Here's a pic.

 

[newirishman]

Looks like a layer of old paint, with a nice pattern in it.
To regular for mold IMO.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

It looks like wallpaper to me? Could it be an imprint of wallpaper?

Check to see if there is a regular break in the pattern where two adjoining rolls have not been positioned very well.

 

[leonmahon]

Brendan, I think you're right. More of an imprint than actual wallpaper. No harm with it in that case. Cheers for the replies.