Abstract: A work-holding device is provided for clamping a workpiece of irregular shape. The work-holding device has a clamping jaw. The clamping jaw comprises a multitude of clamping pins (3). The clamping pins (3) are circular in cross section, aligned in parallel and laterally directly adjacent to one another, and separately movable in their direction of main extension. The clamping jaw also comprises a frame laterally encompassing the clamping pins (3). The clamping jaw further comprises an open pressure chamber (17) provided at the backside of said clamping pins (3) turned away from said workpiece. Pressure medium (16) is supplied to the pressure char, parts of which emerge from said pressure chamber (17) to said workpiece through clearances between said clamping pins (3); and the pressure medium (16) in the pressure chamber impinges said clamping pins (3) in direction towards the workpiece.