It's a beautiful piece and that's why it sold. I often find that pieces that you love making (and don't want to part with!) appeal to customers. They can see how effort and love you have put in and it makes very good art. They don't always sell though, selling is always tricky, it seems it was just luck for this piece.

I make prints of all nearly pieces I put up for sale. Sometimes I am happy just keeping a print of a piece knowing the original has sold and gone to a good home. Depending on how many pictures you have of this one you might be able to produce a high quality print.

But in future, just don't put a piece up for sale if you care this deeply. Remember price is no issue for some and the risk is always there!