Loading of table metadata into memory of an in-memory database is initiated. The table metadata is persisted across pages in a page chain. Thereafter, a plurality of metadata objects are materialized into memory that each include an object handle pinning an underlying persisted page in the page chain. The objects are populated with data from the underlying persisted pages. Subsequently, for one to many object relationships, a vector of object handles is generated that comprises a plurality of transient handles that each point to a different instance of a respective transient object. Alternatively, for one to one object relationships or many to one object relationships, an object handle to point to a respective linked object is generated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.