For anyone who’s still avoiding GTK3/Mate, something like this should solve it:
# launch the program
mate-appearance-properties
# now close the GUI
# and then get PID of the process
pid=`ps -C mate-appearance-properties -o pid=`
# show files in your home directory opened by the process
lsof -p $pid | grep /home/$USER
# if the problematic files aren't in your home directory, show all files
# except libraries
lsof -p $pid | grep -v /usr/lib
# (re)move the suspect files (usually theme config files) and see if it helps