The invention relates to a holding device (1) for a porous blank (2), comprising a deformable receiver (4) which carefully transmits the required holding force without provoking damaging stress peaks. To this end, the receiver (4) is fitted with a chamber (5) which can be filled with a liquid. A flexible membrane (6) of the receiver (4) lies on a large surface against an end section (3) of the porous blank (2), thus fixing said porous blank (2) in a positive manner. The porous blank (2) maintains the position thus determined, without any modification, even when a carrier rod (13) which is centrally enclosed in the porous blank (2) for production purposes is removed. The inventive holding device (1) can also be used for further production steps, in other handling or transport devices.