The bidding ' wandered' ever higher - stunning oil painting sold for much more than expected at December art auction

This enchanting 2001 study by Keith Shackleton (1923-2015) of two Wandering Albatrosses bonding on Prion Island in the Antarctic attracted the attention of bidders at last week's art auction at the Salisbury salerooms of Woolley and Wallis. The 39.5cm x 44.8cm oil-on-board sold for £4,788 (including buyer's commission) - much higher than the pre-sale estimate of  £1,000 - £1,500. Also in the picture are what look like two Gannets, but Antarctica is outside their range so they may be Snowy Albatrosses, plus a Cape Petrel.