An essential 

artifact from "Everyday Use", is the handmade quilts that Mama wants to give to
Maggie for when she marries her man John, but Wangero wants to display the quilts, but Mama
specifically promised to give the old quilts to Maggie because she would properly attend to the
quilts. Mama offers Wangero newer quilts that were not handmade, but Wangero refuses. The
handmade quilts symbolize the hard work and independence of Mama and also the strength and
courage she has in keeping her word and waiting to give the quilts to Maggie. The quilts is an
artifact because it is a key concept to the story and also is symbolic towards the women.