Retro Hand-Turned Myrtlewood Burl Bookends (Oregon Craft, 1970s–1990s)

Bring natural warmth and sculptural charm to your shelves with this pair of retro Myrtlewood burl bookends, hand-turned in Oregon between the 1970s and 1990s. Each piece is shaped from solid myrtlewood burl, prized for its swirling grain, eye-like figuring, and golden caramel tones. The stepped dome carving showcases the wood’s natural movement, while the original green felt bases protect your surfaces. Hefty, smooth, and beautifully finished, these bookends add organic elegance to any room—perfect for vintage libraries, cozy cabins, or Golden Harvest–inspired décor.

Oregon Myrtlewood (also called California Bay Laurel) has been a beloved West Coast carving wood for over a century. During the mid-20th century, small woodshops along the Oregon Coast—especially in Bandon, Florence, and Coos Bay—became known for producing collectible giftware like bowls, domes, and bookends. Burl Myrtlewood is the rarest form, displaying the dramatic swirling grain seen here. These bookends reflect the height of Myrtlewood giftcraft production and remain highly collectible due to the wood’s beauty and limited regional origin.