Hi Don, it can be difficult to know exactly what you have without a photo. Punch bowls can be called large compote bowls which can be wash bowls which can be called punch bowls. I've seen bowls from wash sets labeled as punch bowls, which obviuosly was not their intended use. Is there a way to take a photo of it? The 3/97 could be the year of production; the blue 3 possibly marking the size. Many numbers can still be mysteries. Sorry I couldn't help more at this time. Thanks for visiting the site!