D&D Companion: Artifacts

Artifacts were first described in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement (1976).

Many of the examples listed were explicitly linked to Gary Gygax's original Greyhawk campaign, and expanded upon in the AD&D 1e DMs Guide.

The Master Set rules include a lengthy section on artifacts, describing four categories (minor, lesser, major, greater) along with general characteristics, powers, and adverse effects.

Table from D&D Master Set (1985)

Several examples drawn from real world cultures and mythology were described.

The Rules Cyclopedia omitted the tables for determining powers and adverse effects, and included a single, new example (the Mask of Bachraeus)

I would include the Master Set rules for creating artifacts in a Companion supplement, along with appropriate tables, but use a different example.

One possibility are the Crowns, Orbs, and Sceptres of Might:

There are several sets of the Crown, Orb and Scepter, one for each alignment.  They are scattered across the world and well hidden.  Each item is only useful to one who is of the same alignment as the item, others take 2-24 points of damage when touching it.

from Eldritch Wizardry (1976)

These were likely derived from the Fighter's, Magic-User's, and Cleric's Crowns, Orbs, and Scepters mentioned in OD&D vol. 2, linked to the Lost Level of Greg Svenson's Tonisborg dungeon.

Expanded entries appeared in the AD&D 1e DMs Guide, although these seem better suited to the three-alignment system in B/X:

Crowns, Orbs, and Sceptres of Might:

Great items of regalia were constructed for special servants of the deities of each alignment when the gods were contending amongst themselves.  The champion of each alignment - Law, Chaos, Neutrality - was given a crown, an orb, and a sceptre.  These items have been scattered and lost over the centuries of struggle since they first appeared.

These three complete sets bestow great powers, but even mere possession of a Crown of Might gives a character of the same alignment great benefits (if a character of another alignment touches such an item he or she takes 5-30 points of damage and must save vs. Spells or be instantly killed).

Note: Each of these items is so similar in appearance to the other that examination will reveal no difference, and magical detection will not reveal their alignment.

Crowns of Might

Each Crown is a slender diadem of gold set with three precious stones of great size so as to bring 50,000 or more gold pieces if openly sold.  While being worn, the Crown raises its wearer's level of experience by one and confers additional powers/effects.

Should a character wearing a Crown touch an Orb of Might or a Sceptre of Might of a different alignment, he or she takes damage and must save as noted above, and if the saving throw is successful, one penalty will affect him or her.  However, if the Orb or Sceptre is of the same alignment, extra powers (and effects) are conferred upon the possessor.

Orbs of Might

Each Orb is of platinum, encrusted with gems, and topped with a device of precious metals and stones, so as to be worth 100,000 or more gold pieces on the open market.  Each Orb is equal to a Gem of Brightness and has additional powers.

If a character of another alignment touches an Orb different from his or hers, a save vs. Spells must be made to avoid death and from 4-24 points of damage will be taken if the save is successful.  If the character so touching an Orb also possesses a Crown and/or Sceptre, surviving the save vs. Spells will invoke a penalty.

For additional powers in combination with other items of regalia, see Crown of Might.

Sceptres of Might

Each Sceptre is wrought of bronze inlaid with silver and many fine gems, with a huge precious stone tipping its 2' length, giving the item a value of 150,000 or more gold pieces on the open market.  Each Sceptre functions a Rod of Beguiling and has additional powers.

The effects of handling a Sceptre of an alignment not the character's own are the same as those of a Crown.  

For additional powers in combination with a Crown or Orb of the same alignment, see Crown of Might.