A holding device for medical instruments, having a bracket on which at least one medical instrument can be affixed, at least one joint to position the bracket and a weight-relieving system to compensate the bracket load. The holding device is of compact and light structure and for cleaning purposes is completely autoclavable together with the bracket. The weight-relieving system is configured as a resetting element that is coupled with the bracket and is made of a material that essentially includes a plateau stress.
