A PAIR OF TONGS WITH "AQUILA NON CAPTAT MUSCAS" ON

I received this pair of tongs as a wedding gift and have always wondered at their history. I have attached two photos one of which shows the end of the tongs where the symbol appears with the wording “Aquila non Captat Muscas”. I cannot see a silver mark anywhere but the tongs have a definite appearance of being silver.
Closeup of silver tongs.jpg
Silver tongs in total.jpg