Zachariah Boreman was a talented artist and porcelain painter who specialized in monochrome landscape scenes. He originally worked at the Chelsea factory, but from 1784 to 1794 he worked in Derby and his landscapes from that period depict Derbyshire scenes.

A collection of his work was presented to the Society in the early 1920s by the ecclesiastical lawyer, A T Lawrence (Derbyshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 47, 1925, pp 262-264). They are now on loan to Derby Museums and can be viewed by appointment at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

The wide range of subjects depicted in his small, but exquisitely detailed pictures is typical of the Georgian interest in every aspect of the landscape, from brick kilns to country houses and cotton mills to lead smelting. Examples of many of these paintings, transformed into finished artwork on late 18th century ceramic pieces, can be found by browsing online.

Of the 55 watercolours and sketches in the collection, 30 have been attributed to Zachariah Boreman (A. Bambery & A. P. Ledger: ‘Watercolour paintings by Zachariah Boreman’, Derby Porcelain International Society Journal 3, 1996, pp 70-95) while the remaining 25 are a mixed group of different periods, styles and sizes, which remain unattributed. Applications for permission to reproduce items from the collection should be sent to the Society secretary@derbyshireas.org.uk