from United Press International

FONTAINEBLEAU, France, June 10 (UPI) — A gold-encrusted sword wielded by Napoleon more than 200 years ago has gone under the hammer at the Fontainebleau, France, castle he used as a retreat.

The sword, believed to be the last of Napoleon’s swords in private hands, has been passed down by his descendants for generations, the BBC reported Sunday. Currently, it is owned by eight.

Auctioneers said the Egyptian-inspired decorated blade could go for millions of dollars by the time the bidding ends.

The French general is said to have carried the sword into battle at Marengo in June 1800 when he launched an attack to drive Austrian forces from Italy and seal a victory for France. After the battle, Napoleon gave the sword to his brother as a wedding gift and it has been passed down among his descendants since.

France declared the sword a national treasure in 1978. If it is sold to a foreign buyer, the buyer must have an address in France and keep it in the country for six months a year, the BBC reported.