Need Info! Bootleg Mario Bucket from late 80's / early 90's

[CodysGameRoom | 2,008]

Hi all. Please see my new bucket below. I can't find any information on this thing. There is no copyright or company information on the bucket anywhere. Obviously, it's a bootleg. There also appears to be somewhat of a Christmas theme, with the snow and green shirt and red and white striped socks, and the gifts. No idea what the "A" stands for. 

Has anyone seen this item before? Does anyone know where it came from, who made it, if it is rare? I grabbed it from a local store as a fun conversation piece, but I'm curious about it's origin. 

 

[spacepup | 2,405]

I don’t know if this helps any but it is the same artwork:

And another:

https://amp.reddit.com/r/crappyoffbrands/comments/8tbzyg/this_offbrand_mario_and_peach/

 

Some of the comments are saying it is “ario.”  Not sure how much that helps, but who knows.

[fcgamer | 4,729]

Never saw it before, but I love it! 

[JamesRobot | 5,807]

I like how Peach has 2 right hands.

[CodysGameRoom | 2,008]

12 hours ago, spacepup said:

Some of the comments are saying it is “ario.”  Not sure how much that helps, but who knows.

It may not be much info but it is interesting!

[croagunk | 798]

Weird, but cool. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully someone will have some more info on this.

[Link | 2,715]

I was going to say, A is for Ario. He’s the fourth Mario brother. He stayed in construction when Mario moved on to plumbing with Luigi.